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THE 



WANDERING PHILANTHROPIST; 



OB, 



LETTRES 



FROM A CHIJ^'ESE. 



WRITTEN 



DURING HIS RESIDENCE IN THE UNITED STATES 



DISCOVERED AND, EDITED BY 

GEORGE TOWLER, 

Of yirgimu. \>^ 



J >v - 



<; 






% - 

PHILADELPHIA : ^' 



PRINTED BY BARTHOLOMEW GRAVES, 

% ' No. 40, North Fourth street. 

T ■pUBt>tSHED roa GEO. FOWLER AMD BARTHW. GRAVES. 

1810. 

\ 



^ 



r.'fi. 



*»» 






PREFACE, 




IT is not necessary to state the acci- 
dent by which the following letters fell 
into the Editor's hands. By many per- 
haps, they will be deemed a fiction. Be 
it so. X strive not to remove the error. 
Bat, what does it signify whether they 
be written by an x\merican or an Anti- 
pode ! Truth is the same from whose- 
ever lips it may flow, and error or pre- 
judice cease not to be such because we 
derive it from that circumscribed indivi- 
dual spot of the great globe v/hich hap- 
pened to give us birth. With respect 
to those individuals enveloped in nation- 
al p.rejudice, or perveited by party ani- 
mositv, should they take up this volume 
wiih an expectation of deriving any plea- 
sure from the perusal, they must be dis- 
appointed. And can this circumstance 



IV. PREFACE. 

be supposed to give any mortification X<d 
the Editor! Oh no! Were the letters 
v/iihin the limit of the feelings of this 
contracted class of m.en, the Editor had 
much rather see them consigned to the 
flames than to see them published. 

lliC plan of this production is not 
confined to the dry discussion of nation- 
al topics, and if, in so diversified a sub- 
ject, an author does not indulge the oc- 
casional excursions of fancy, it must be 
because he has no fimcv at all. 

That tiicre are fauhs in this produc- 
tion the Editor will readily acknowled^-e, 
and that were he to relate the pectiliar 
(.lisadvantages under w^hich it v/as writ- 
ten, it might afford an excuse to every 
impartial mind, yet he declines and even 

disdains all pretensions to apology 

Should the book meet with that degiee 
of public attention to which the subject 
is entitled, and that degree of favor 
the execution may merit, his utmost 



# 



« 
PREFACE. 



wishes will be gratified, bat when he re- 
flects on the invincible prejudices that 
have existed in this country against ori- 
ginal productions, he confesses, with a 
sigh, that even this is beyond his ezpec- 
tation. Happy should it escape the in- 
difference of a premature sentence, or 
obtain that degree of public investiga- 
tion which can alone authorize a decision 
on any performance. 



A 2 



THE 



WANDERING PHILANTHROPIST ; 



OR, 



LETTERS FROM A CHINESE. 



LETTER I. 



IT has been some time, O ! thou friend of 
my youth, since I landed in the country from 
which I now address you. I have made se- 
veral excursions through different parts of it. 
I have visited its chief cities. I have seen its 
grand natural curiosities.... its noblest ri- 
vers... .its stupendous mountains.... its awful 
precipices, and its dreadful cataracts. A 
youthful adventurer would be disposed to en- 
tertain you with a poetic description of these 
sublime scenes. But to me who hath visited 
every part of Europe, and grown old in the 
search of wisdom, such objtxts bear but a 
secondary consideration. It was as thou 
knowest, to study men and manners, to draw 



( 8 ) 

ipy lessons from life itself that I left my native 
country to encounter the thcusancl c'lincuities 
incident to the nature of my undertaking. — 
The first reward of my labours is that of 
drawing instruction from scenes which others 
Vv'ould pa-s over with indifference, my i^ext 
pleasure, that of communicating my thoughts 
to thee, O guardian of my youth. 

The country in which I now reside is that 
portion of the great continent of America 
known by the name of the United States. — 
This is the nation which boasts a superiority 
over everv other, in the Vvisdom and liberty of 
its government ; the mildness and equality of 
its laws, and its national justice and pacific 
policy. Having long been accustomed to those 
reflections which new and diversity of scenes 
suggest, many of my national prejudices are 
considerably diminished. I consider myself 
now rather a citizen of the world than of any 
particular spot or district. I can, therefore, 
view the government of this republick with an 
unprejudiced eye, and allow it the excellence 
which it really possesses. It is founded on 
the law of nature and the rights of man. It 
is calculated to promote the prosperity of the 



( 9 ) 

whole, and secure the rights of each individu- 
al. If the government is properly adminis- 
tered it cannot fail to effect the desired ob- 
ject, and if improperly administered, it is 
subject to the check aiKl controul of the 
people. It is calculated to inspire vigi- 
lance and caution in public men and to 
check ambition and expose incapacity. It 
defines the duties and limits the powers of the 
different classes of public men within which 
limitation they must act, and beyond which 
they cannot, dare not pass. It makes the same 
rule the measure of the conduct of those in 
pGv/er or those out of power, and in short se- 
cures to every individual the same rights and 
privileges. What more can a government as- 
pire to ? What more could a people possess or 
desire ? 

But, notwithstanding my real adoration of 
this form of government, I am inclined to 
doubt whether it is perfectly adopted to the 
fluctuating and intemperae disposition of man. 
Whilst I look upon it as the only kind of go- 
vernment in which human nature is not in- 
sulted, despised, oppressed, and degraded, I 
heave a sigh when I think it may not last. It 



( 10 ) 

is said that these people encountered and en- 
dured all the difficulties of a long and bloody 
war to gain their independence : that they un- 
derstand its blessings and v»iil ever preserve 
them. It is true the love of liberty is at this 
time natural to this republick, so also v. as it to 
every republick that has heretofore existed, but 
this did not prevent them from sharing the 
fate to which their folly or infatuation impell- 
ed them. There are many things which 
men in their sober judgment esteem valuable, 
but which, from the intemperance of iheir na- 
ture, they can neither obtain nor when pos- 
sessed of, preserve. The love of liberty is 
natural, so also is the love of life, the love of 
health, and yet we daily see men, by intem- 
perance, injure the one and put an end to the 
other. Nations, like individuals, are in every 
age governed by the same principles, and sub- 
ject to the same disasters. 

But, whatever be the advantages or dis- 
advantages of this foim of governn ent, it is 
certain the people are attached to it more 
from national prejudice than any real know- 
ledge of its blessings. T he sage framers of 
the American Constitution indeed understood 



( 11 ) 

its excellenc^^ because they were not only men 
of learning and genius, but because they were 
particularly versed in politics, because they 
were under no previous political prejudice, 
and because they had reflected profoundly 
on each principle and feature of the go- 
vernment which, afrer mature deliberation, 
was adopted. But at the present day, and 
with respect to two thirds of the people, 
the case is totally different. They are at- 
tached to their government from national 
partiality, and for the same reason that a Bri- 
ton is attached to his, or a sulgect of the most 
oppressive government is attached to his mas- 
ter. This is the foundation pf all their zeal, 
and their opinions are founded on their zeal 
and not their zeal founded on opinions or 
tenets drawn fjom either reflection or study. 
Nothing, i'ldeed, is more subtle than the sci- 
ence of politics anrl the discussions respect- 
ing the good or evil that may result from dif- 
ferent forms of government ; nothing requires 
a more prof >und knowledge of human nature, 
but I he people here never advert to these facts. 
They vvould seldom be able to give any satis- 
factory answer to such questions as these. 



( 12 ) 

Did you ever study the history of nations and 
draw from it your political creed ? Did you 
ever seriously or profoundly study the various 
relations of politicks ? Did you ever read any 
treatise on government ? Did you ever read 
the constitution of your own country ? To all 
these queries perhaps one half of the pretend- 
ed politicians of this country would have to 
reply in the negative. No one can have any 
pretensions to the character of a lawyer or 
physician without having studied the branches 
belonging to these professions: but no such 
ingredient is thought necessary in politics. 
What can be the reason of this ? Is it that 
there are no difficulties in the science of poli- 
tics ? Or is it that all necessary knowledge is 
derived from nature or possessed by inspira- 
tion ? 

From this statement of the scantiness of 
their knowledge you would suppose they were 
always desirous of acquiring information, and 
that they at least expressed their opinions with 
modesty and diffidence. But alas ! it is pre- 
cisely the reverse, and they are as much over- 
burthefied with zeal as they are deficient in 
knowledge. This repubiick, like all others^ 



( 13 ) 

has almost from its commencement been divi- 
ded into two parties ; each claiming the ex- 
clusive merits of patriotism, and branding the 
others as enemies to their country, as stupid, 
ignorant, obstinate, wicked, prejudiced, and a 
thousand such appellations too numerous to 
mention. The sacred light of reason is ban- 
ished and forgotten, under the turbulent ope- 
ration of illiberal passions. Each party dis- 
play the most profound ignorance of human 
nature. '1 hey can make no distinction be- 
tween the intentions of their opponents and 
their opinions, nor consider that the one may 
be honest whilst the other is erroneous. Each 
makes their own opinions the infallible mea- 
sure of right and wrong, of truth and false- 
hood. Proud and infatuated beings, are not 
your opponents members of the same species 
and possessed of the same attributes.... a part 
of the same community, and governed by the 
same interests ? Do not they inherit the same 
good qualities which you do, and do not you 
inherit the same weakness which they do ? 
Why then may not their intentions be as ho- 
nest, their opinions as correct as yours? Are 
you more infallible in other respects and in 



B 



( 14 ) 

your general conduct ? Why then are you so 
transcendantly above your competitors in the 
single department of politicks ? Have they not 
the same capacities for acquiring information 
and the same means of obtaining it ? Do not 
similar soil rear the same productions ? Do 
not trees of the same species bear the same 
fruit, and similar flowers the same blossoms ? 
Oh ! renounce, then, your contracted preju- 
dices and look not with an evil eye upon a 
man who differs from you in opinion. 

I It is remarkable, that when these people are 
discoursing in a general manner on political 
and religious toleration, their sentiments are 
liberal and expanded. I have often heard men 
professedly of either party deplore the violence 
of political zeal, whilst, if it was not such as 
their own, they would have no occasion to 
deplore it. When they are discoursing on 
general principles a foreigner would suppose 
that it was impossible but their sentiments 
would be tinged with the like liberality when 
they touclied upon local subjects, or entered 
into detail, but to see the violence of their 
manner in these moments, he would suppose 
it was impossible that they could entertain a 



( 15 ) 

libera! idea on any subject whatever. Now, 
my friend, what is the value of general prin- 
ciples except so far as they govern us on par- 
ticular occasions, and in our practical con- 
duct ? What is the use of the compass except 
to enable the mariner to avoid rocks and 
shoals, and to govern him through every part 
of a voyage ? What signifies professions with- 
out practice ? Yet, this seems to be the na- 
ture of the human mind, not only on politicks, 
but every other subject. All men, for in- 
stance, will admit that justice, liberality, and 
economy are virtues, but when they would 
draw the limits to each, or descend into detail, 
there is always a clashing of opinion. When 
discoursing on general principles, or speaking 
in general terms, the different and peculiar 
ideas of each party lie dormant : when they 
descend to particulars they are called into ac- 
tion, and all their concomitants of pride, an- 
ger, and self-delusion enlisted in the contest. 
The disputes of these people on politicks are 
like those of their farmers about their land : 
neither party would have more than his due, 
but the line by which this must be determin- 
ed is a subject of eternal legal contention. 



( 16 ) 

The party at this time the strongest are de- 
ncminated Repiihlicans ; the other part}^ bear 
the appellation of Federalists, The latter 
were formerly most numerous, but some un- 
popular acts of the last federal aciministration 
amply augmented the strength of the republi- 
can party, who now triumphandy carry every 
measure. Upon my first arrival here I spent 
an evening* with a man attached to this party. 
He is hospitable and polite to strangers, and 
having understood that he Vv-as a great politi- 
cian^ I expected to gain some important poli- 
tical information fiom him. After some tran- 
sient conversation on other subjects, I took 
occasion to ask him in what the ciiifc-rence of 
the creed of tliose parties consisted, and what 
the particular excellence of that of the party to 
which he professed himself attached. ^' Sir," 
said he, '' the particular merit of the Repub- 
*' licanir consist in a firm attachment torepub- 
*' lican prirxiples, and a constant desire to 
** promote the best interests of their country. 
" But as to the Federalists it is difficult to say 
" what are their principles. Indeed I believe 
^* they have none at all. They are no friends to 
*' our constitution : gladly would they see it 



( 17 ) 

« de^trdyeS. They would besides render ti1s 
** tribiiti^ry to Britain ; to free us from whose 
** tyranny cost our brave fathers so much 
» blood and hardship." Is it possible ! ex- 
claimed I, that any people can so far depart 
from their national character as to entertain 
such sentiments. But what, continued I, was 
the conduct of the federalists in the revolu- 
tion f and though party distinctions took place 
afterwards, yet the real patriotism of both par- 
ties must at this trying crisis ha v)e been fully 
disp'ayed ? Did they shew any want of ardour 
in the common cause ? Did they not also 
shed their blood in defence of liberty ? Even 
the great Washington, he who led your ar- 
mies triumphant through all their diiFiculties, 
was not he afterwards called a federalist, and 
can the purity of his principles be doubted ? 
Was not he the idol of the federal purity, and 
can it be supposed that they would Vvorship 
one whose principles were in Ci^ntiadictibn to 
their own ? As to their being hostile to thd 
constitution, let us not too readily give way td 
ungenerous suspicions. What was the sen- 
timents of the federalists on this subject when 

it was proposed fur adoption, and Wi.en ii ex- 

JB 2 



( 18 ) * 

Gited so much agitation ? Then was the time 
for them to have expressed their unequivocal 
opinions. Did they shew any hostility to it ? 
Were they not, on the contrary, amongst its 
principal advocates ? Did they not use their 
influence to gain its adoption? And was it 
not for this that they took the very name they 
bear ? I only make these remarks to soften 
censure, and I believe the intention of both 

parties are honest, but My friend here 

interrupted me. He perceived, he said, that 
I was a federalist and.it was in vain for us to 
hold any argument, as we should never come 
to an understanding : the longer we disputed 
the more widely vve should differ. He ad- 
ded, that whatever might be the frailties of 
his own party, they were certainly all in- 
ferior to one unpardonable one of the fede- 
ralists, which was their inveterate obstinacy 
and aversion to all fair discussion. In re- 
ply I told him he had certainly mistook 
my character, that I was no federalist nor re- 
publican.... that I had little knowledge of these 
distinctions, and felt no interest in them, that 
I was a foreigner and felt favorably disposed 
both towards the government and the people. 
1-itde indeed, my friend, did I expect that my 



( 19 ) 

innocent enquiries and remarks could have 
produced die irritation which I observed in 
my deluded host, or have led to such conclu- 
sions respecting myself. I was astonished to 
see alt the gaiety and good humor which was 
natural to him, vanish in touching upon this 
gloomy and misterious subject. It convinced 
me, indeed, that men in the perfect possession 
of their intellects may, on particular points, be 
as completely deranged as the lunatic confined 
in a hospital. I endeavoured to draw the at- 
tention of my host from the obnoxious sub- 
ject of politicks, and restore him to his natural 
state of intelligence and good humour, but it 
w^as in vain; and 'though he indicated some 
symptoms of politeness, it was evidently for- 
ced. I began to think it was time to with- 
draw, and took my hat and bid him good 
night. 

I before mentioned that this nation prided 
itself on its national justice. This is, indeed, 
their most fervent opinion, but here, as in 
other respects they labour in a great measure 
under national delusion. It is remarkable that 
to nations, as well as to individuals, the max- 
im of an European poet is equally applicable, 
'' the, eye sees not itself." 



( 29 ) 

In a government such as this, the admiiiis. 
tration must alwa)'S, in a great degree take its 
colour from the prevailing temper of the peo- 
ple, which is often extravagant. The people 
is the source from which the legislative body 
derive their authority, and the latter consider 
it an essential part of their duty to adopt their 
pohcy to the wi^vhes of the former. Every 
fepresenlative must study not oidy the interest 
but the temper of the district from which he 
is sent. In the national legislature, petitions 
from the' people are received with great re- 
spect. Nodiiisg is more common among its 
orators than to dweh in an empha ic mannef 
on the feeliiigs of the sovereign people, and 
nothing has mo!e iniliience on their proceed- 
ings. Now, when rulers are thus constantly 
iijiiuenced by the people, it is no woiuler that 
the policy of the former should ofien partake of 
the extr. vigance of the latter, and that they 
should be often led fsom their duty. Some- 
times they will receive this impuise without 
being aware of it, and sometimes they will feel 
overawed and have to depart from the dictates 
of their own judgemnl. it is ab:,urd to talk 
of the iniallibiiity of the people, or their pacifick 



C 21 ) 

disposition. The people are often impelled 
by extravagant passions. They are seldom 
governed by the enlightened dictates of i)hilo- 
sophy. They are not capable of understand- 
ing fully the complicated matters of national 
misunderstanding. With an impatience na- 
tural to them, they feci only their own interest 
and view only one side of tl;e question. They 
are not capable of tracing the interest of tlieir 
country in all its bearings : or of seeing fully 
the consequences of measures which they 
would wish adopted. Their infatuation will 
often impel them to war, v. hen both their 
honor and interest would dictate peace. 

But besides these facts concerning the peo- 
ple, there are other arguments deduced horn 
the nature of the human mind, which prove 
the deluded egotism of these people. What 
nation, or what legi lature, I ask, then, is 
exempt from national pride, nationd preju- 
dice, and the dictates of national interest ? 
Public men, in their coolest moments of re- 
flection, ai'e no more exempt from the influ- 
ence of these principles than the multitude. 
It matters not \\ hether it be kno^vn to ihem 
or not. They are principles derived from 



( 22 ) 

nature, confirmed by habit, and their infiuence 
is invariable and eternal. It may be that each 
party took up their claims which they conceiv- 
ed to be no more than just, but considering 
the force of national partiality, these claims, 
strictly and fairly speaking, should have been 
the result of negociation, and not negociation 
the result of these claims, but after having 
once been asserted it is felt a matter of na- 
tional honor to maintain and defend them. 
At the time these claims are taken up it might 
be asked : Didst thou consider both sides of 
the question ? Didst thou weigh the interest 
and honor of thy adversary as attentively as 
thou didst thy own ? Wast thou then aware of 
all the arguments which he has since adduced, 
and did they occur to thee with the same 
force ? It is evident that to all these queries 
the answer must be in the negative. It is no 
less certain that the negotiation which follows 
must receive a strong tinge from this previous 
partiality. It is precisely the case in discus- 
sion between nations, as it is between indivi- 
duals. The mind of each party is somewhat 
in a state of ferment and actuated by delusive 
principles. Negotiation does not... .cannot 



( 23 ) 

always produce either reconciliation of diiTer- 
ences or removal of prejudices, and error and 
envy very often tends to heighten both. 

But though I smile at the national egotism 
of these people, I cannot deny them the tribute 
to w hich they are fairly entitled, and in their 
general conduct, and \^ here they are not under 
the subtle delusions of intellect or of popular 
feeling, their conduct is ever magnanimous 
and just. Did every nation possess even an 
equal regard for justice two thirds of the mise- 
ries of war would be banished from the earth. 
Their national character has never been stain- 
ed by violence, am.bition, or treachery. They 
would only make use of their power to de- 
fend what they conceive to be their interest or 
their rights. These are the virtues of every 
rising republick. Jt is to be feared that this, 
like all others, will, in time, degenerate.... that 
it wijl not always pursue the honorable career 
which it has commenced. A degeneracv in 
the history of nations takes place pi ecisely as 
\A ith individuals in their progress through life, 
and idr the same reason. When a young 
man enters into the woild he is as yet govern- 
ed by the pure vmcontaminated principles of 



( 24 ) 

nature ; but as he advances in life difficulties 
and temptations occur and he is still more and 
more led from the dictates of virtue. E very- 
new breach lessens the remorse with which it 
is attended, till at last he becomes familiar 
with what at first he looked upon with horror. 
Just so it is with nations in their intercourse 
wath others, and even their internal transac- 
tions. As they are involved in wars and 
troubles a thousand ten^ptations occur ; that 
high respect which they had been accustomed 
to feel for their national character is gradually 
abandoned, till at last a nation has no longer 
the virtuous pattern of their ancestors as a 



warning. 



Whilst I, at this time, look upon this fair 
repubhck flourishing in its rising strength, and 
holding out the olive branch to every nation, 
I cannot but offer up to Heaven my fervent 
prayers for its perpetual welfare. Oh I linger, 
ye approaching days of internal corruption of 
gloomy change, disasters, and difficulties ! 
Suffer, Oh fortune ' one small portion of the 
srreat e:lobe to be consecrated to virtue, and to 
justice., to be exempt from scenes of violence 
and blood. Ye rulei*s of America, persevere 



■m 



( 25 ) 

in the happy course which ye have commenecu. 
Consider your pubhck buildings as dedicated 
to virtue, and let none enter them who does 
not feel the sacred chill of the honorable, but 
awful, duties attached to his station. Oh! 
never let ambition, injustice, or treachery stain 
your cpunciis. So shall the days of this en- 
lightened republick be marked with real glory 
and perpetual prosperity, and heaven itself will 
look down with pleasure on the happy scene* 



( 26 ) 
LETTER II. 



This great continent, as thou already 
knovvest, was discovered by Christopher Co- 
lumbus, to whom the obscure repubHck of 
Genoa had the honour of giving birth. He 
was one of those rare characters who was in- 
spired above the vulgar prejudices and con- 
tracted ideas of the age in which he lived. In 
His bosom first dawned the grand idea of dis- 
covering a New World, and with brave reso- 
lution he overcame every obstacle to its final 
execution. Astronomy was at that time little 
understood, and this knowledge confined to a 
few. Columbus, in reflecting on the figurt 
and dimensions of the earth, concluded that 
the extent of Europe and Asia, bore but a 
small proportion to the real circumference, 
and that other lands might be discovered by 
sailing to the West. He knew that the only 
way to execute his design was to secure the 
patronage of some prince of the day, who 
would furnish him v\ ith a fleet for the intend- 
ed expedition. He successively laid his plan 



( 27 ) 

before different princes, frequently he appeared 
before them or those to whom the considera- 
tion of it was referred, and spoke with that 
bold confidence which great objects alone 
inspire, but ye sovereign potentates, ye pre- 
tended philosophers, it was not given to your 
contracted souls, to understand or to feel the 
noble eiithusiasm that laboured in his bosom. 
For years he had to contend with ignorance 
and prejudice, and to answer a thousand cap. 
tious objections.... sometimes his soul lighted 
i*p with pleasing expectation, at others, hope 
was extinct. And in whora at last did he find 
a patron. ...in the breast of a woman.... Queen 
Isabella.... and whilst it reflects honour on her, 
it must add disgrace to her husband. From 
him, Columbus never received any cordial 
assistance. Indeed, my friend, I believe that 
in such cases as these, the heart of woman is 
more exempt from contracted prejudices, and 
that their generous and unsuspecting nature 
always incline them to the favorable side. 

Columbus at last set sail in two indifferent 
vessels, and these but badly manned.... he had 
to encounter innumerable difficulties, but his 
fortitude and prudence never forsook hinCv 



( 28 ) 

He had the exquisite gratification of landing 
in the country which had so long been the ob- 
ject of his anxious thoughts. What joy must 
the first sight of land have inspired ! With 
what exquisite gratification did he behold its 
fertile soil... .its luxuriant vegetation ! With 
w hat honest pride did he reflect that the doubts 
and prejudices of his country would, on his 
return, be dissipated, and that he w^ould every 
v.here be hailed as the discoverer of a new 
tvorld ! 

Columbus made several voyages to the 
countries he had discovered. He planted co- 
lonies, introduced wise regulations, and every 
where endeavored to win the good w ill of the 
natives bv pentleness and insinuation. In his 
contract vviih Ferdinand liC vras to have ex- 
tensive power over tile countries he should 
discos er; and a part of its profits, but this 
powder he never abused. Under every diffi- 
culty, the mildness and fortitude of his cha- 
racter was conspicuous. But what w as the 
return Columbus met with for his unparalleled 
services ? What the means taken to assuage 
hig mind for past anxiety and difficulty ? Under 
unfounded suspicions, he is arrested in the 



( 29 ) 

eountry which his enterprize discovered, put 
on board of a vessel, and sent to Spain in 
chains ! Oh, ir»gratitude ! Thou art indeed 
tlie worst of crimes. 

The continent being now discovered, the 
great object was to plant colonies, accumulate 4 
gold, and spread destruction among the na- 
tives. In this the whites derived as little 
glory in the execution, as they did honor from 
their motives. What honor, wliat glory, 
could result fiom attacking widi fire arms, 
those inoifensive people, who, with missive 
weapons, could hardly make any resistance, 
Ind where thousands were sure to be cut to 
pieces on the one side, and scarcely an indi- 
vidual lost on the other. Here was only bru- 
tal force without humanity, justice, or cou- 
rage. Indeed, my friend, if we view these 
transactions divested of that pride and haugh- 
tiness with which civilized nations are too apt 
to look upon those less civilized, they open a 
scene of the most tremendous injustice and 
bloody oppression, that ever disgraced the 
earth. Were not the natives the only propri- 
etors of this country? Did they not inherit it 

from their ancestors, and depend on it for 

c 2 



( so ) 

their food ? If the territory of any civilized 
nation is invaded by another, is it not looked 
upon as a flagrant violation of national faith, 
and considered as ample ground for war? 
What right, I repeat, then, had the whites to 
seize the territory of those unoffending people, 
or to prescribe it within bounds of their own 
arbitrary pleasure ? Was it to violate the sa- 
cred laws of justice, and riot in innocent blood, 
oh, ye cruel invaders, that ye left your native 
country and crossed the wide Atlantic ? 

The people of the United States surely, if 
they have any respect for those natural rights 
in others, which they are so highly jealous of 
themselves, must look with abhorrence on 
those bloody deeds in the settlement of the 
New World. What was the ground upon 
which they took up arms against the mother 
country ? That their property was taken from 
thcin without their consent. This encroach- 
ment on their national rights, determined 
them to encounter all the troubles of a tedious 
and doubtful \var. They thought it more ho- 
norable to part with their life than their inde- 
pendence. They said they would rely on the 
justice of heaven for the support of their cause. 



^ 



( 31 ) 

Every individual who did not unite in the 
common cause, or shewed any hostility to it, 
was looked upon as a wretch worthy of the 
severest punishment. And was not the cause 
of the poor Indians, in opposing the rapacity 
of theif invaders, equally just ? Were they 
not also contending for their indubitable rights 
and interest ? Upon w^hat principle then can 
these bloody deeds be justified, except upon 
the maxim that ** force is law''... .which the 
haughtiness of civilized nations has heretofore 
ascribed only to the state of barbarity. \\'hen 
a man with arms In his hand has a right to 
murder one who can make no resistance ; 
when the strong have a right to beat and ^ p- 
press the weak ; when the world shall get so 
depraved as to admit such maxims as tliese, 
then the bloody deeds of the Europeans, in 
the new world, may be justified, and not be- 
fore. 

The destructive arms of the Europeans, so 
different from any thing the natives had ever 
been accustomed to, spread terror amongst 
them. In some places they submitted with- 
out opposition, in others they made a vigorous 
resistance, but were always compelled ta 
submit,. 



/' 



\ 32 ) 

When the Spaniards landed and displayed 
their destroying power, the Indians looked 
iipon them as angels, but in the horrid and 
bloody use which they afterwards made of this 
power, they must have appeared rather in the 
light of iSeingsfroin the infernal regions. No 
wonder that their rapacity sometimes inspired 
the natives with a resentment above the influ- 
ence of all fear, and forgetting their own in- 
abilitv, they rushed against the storm, regard- 
less of the consequences. No \\'onder that 
they displayed a desperate intrepidity, which 
astonished their invaders ; that they rushed 
upon them in such numbers as almost to 
overpower them or render them weary with 
slaughtering. No wonder that they looked 
around on the heaps of tlicir dead and dying 
countrymen, with savage indifference, and 
widi frantick fury turned the whole of their at- 
tention ag-ainsft their invadel's. In one of those 
desperate engagetnerits t'.^ o young Indians of 
rank, observing the continued slaughter of 
their hapless countrymen, fastened a look in 
which their souls were mutually trsnsfused 
into each other, they sprung together towards 
the Spanish general, and seizing him drew 



( 33 ) 

him after them to the battlements, determined 
to pull him from the top, contented to lose 
their oXvn lives, provided they could destroy- 
that of their oppressor, but the Spaniard dis- 
engaged himself, and the glorious youths fell 
martyrs to their country and to heroism, whilst 
tremendous oppression reigned above. 

And what were the motives of all this waste 
of blood ? The thirst of gold, and love of domi- 
nion, passions Which confine the sOiil in the 
most grovelling ties of the earth, and which 
banish every generous feeling, which has ren- 
dered scenes of blood a delightful spectacle 
and the groans of dying agony niusick to the 
ear. 

Considering the imrhense disj^arity of p'o\v- 
er betweeH the prfrtie^ ; the Indians' certainly 
displayed, oil many occasions, a bravery truly 
worthy of their cause. Had they had a 
historian to record their actions, we should be 
furnished with maiiy brilliant examples of 
heroism. One of the Indian princes, after 
havingdisplayed the most heroick exertions iii 
defence of his country. Was made a captive 
by the Spaniards. When he came into thfe' 
presence of Cortes^ the Spanish genetal^ he 



( 34 ) 

thus addressed him....** I have used ir.y best 
*' exertions for the defence of my country, 
*' and now that I am }our captive, take that 
'* sword," pointing to one which Cortes 
wore, '* and put an end to a life which is 
** useless to my country, and a burthen to 
** myself." His life was spared, but not re- 
served for a more honorable fate. Cortes was 
a brave commander, and had not shewn him- 
self insensible to the feelings of humanity, but 
on this occasion, thirsting for gold, he resolv- 
ed to put his brave captive and his chief fa- 
vorite to the torture to extort from him -a 
confession of the spot v/here his treasures had 
been hid. In the midst of their sufferings, 
the favorite casting an enquiring lock towards 
his master, seemed to implore permission to 
make an acknowledgment ; but the high-spi- 
rited prince, with a look of authority and 
contempt, cried, " Am I reposing on a bed 
** of flowers." The favorite overawed by 
this rebuke, persevered in his silence and 
expired under his tortures. Cortes, struck 
with the intrepidity of the prince, and asham- 
ed of his own cruelty, released the sufFcring 
captive. 



( 35 ) 

The same destruction of the Indians took 
^ place in the settling of North America. But 
here the Indians made a more vigorous re- 
sistance. It was with vast difficulty that the 
whites got settled with any degree of tran- 
quility. But the Indians, never forgetting 
their wrongs, often rushed with savage feroci- 
ty on their invaders, whilst blood and terror 
marked their way. A vast portion of the 
original race of this great continent has been 
cut off, and in almost all the islands of the 
West Indies, wholly destroyed. The suffer- 
ings of this unhappy race of men are at an end. 
In North America their numbers are gready 
reduced, but their condition is comparatively 
happy. I am glad to close this melancholy 
recital, by adverting to a more pleasing scene. 
The Indians in North America enjoy their 
liberty and have their limited territory which 
is never invaded. The people of the United 
States and their successive Presidents, Wash- 
ington, Adams, and Jefferson, have strove to 
cultivate peace and confidence with them and 
not without success. Whenever any of their 
chiefs pass through the country, they are treat- 
ed with marked hospitality. Trading houses 



( S6 . ) 

are established on the lines, and such articles 
as they stand in need of exchanged for the 
peltry which they procure by hunting. Emis- 
saries have been sent among them to instruct 
them in the arts of civilized life. Several 
trijbes are in a state of progressive improve- 
ment. It is to be hoped that the whole of this 
unhappy race will, before long, be brought to 
turn their attention to agricultural pursuits, 
gnd enjoy ^hp f^cfiign injiu^nce.x>£ civilization. 



o i 



) 



LETTER IIL 



Moralists have always made a distinc- 
tion between the profession and practice of 
man : between what he affirms of himself and 
w^hat others are disposed to affirm of him. 
But the infatuation of the people of this coun- 
try on the subject of politicks, prevents them 
from applying this rule, or making this dis- 
tinction ; and he who makes the loudest pro- 
fessions is looked upon as the best patriot. 
How often liave I listened with a smile to 
these popular political strains, whilst I knew 
that the individual was not only deceiving the 
publick, but deceiving himself! How often 
have I heard men express the deepest detes- 
tation of tyranny or expatiate in the most lu'- 
minous manner on the blessings of liberty, 
whom I knew to be destiture of the only ma- 
teri^s of this virtue, and who in their family 



D 



( S8 ,) 

exercised as complete tyranny as any despo 
of Europe ! If such be their conduct in pri- 
vate life, would not such be their conduct in 
pubhck life ? and if such be their conduct 
in either case, can they be supposed to have 
any real regard for the sacred rights of human 
nature, or to be entitled to the praise of re- 
publicans in the real sense of the word ? 
Clergymen here are \yatched with the most 
scrupulous vigilance, and if in their practical 
conduct they depart in the smallest degree 
from the doctrine which they deliver in their 
black gown, they are looked upon as hypo- 
crites. When we buy the wares ofa trader weex- 
amine their quality and pay no attention to his 
interested recommendations. Why are not 
these self evicent maxims adopted here in 
politicks ? It costs men nothing to find fault 
of publick proceedings or to make profes. 
sions of political virtue themselves : they can 
claim no merit except when these virtues 
are actually felt and exercised. O ye delu- 
ded politicians full of blind zeal or empty 
declamation! how small is your political merit 
unless supported by the infallible and only 
criterian, the acts of your private life ; ye who 



( 39 ) 

can shock the f^.elings of a wife, or depart 
from the dictates of honour to\\ ard thy fellow 
men ; who can exenH.se a wanton cruelty over 
helpless animals, or rob the harmless bird of 
an e^^ ; how vainly do ye imagine that ye pos- 
sess one spark of the only ingredient of poli- 
tical virtue ! 

For this reason I am surprised at a distinc- 
tion which in this country is made bet\^ een pub- 
lick and private cliaracter. Is not man in both 
cases governed by the same principles of nature, 
and will not his conduct in either case take its 
colour from those qualities which are peculiar 
to himsesf ? Does not the stream in both ca- 
ses flow from the same source ? Can a man in 
pubiick life be governed by qualities v/hich he 
does not possess ? He who would oppress his 
subjects, would oppress his family ; he ho 
would rob the public coffers would rob a pri- 
vate purse. He who would overstep the lim- 
its of his power, or violate the law in a pubiick 
capacity, would violate the law in a private 
capacity. He who is fonder of the pomp of 
ofSce than of attending to its duties, will in 
private life be fonder of procuring fine equipage 



{ 40 



than of paying for it. He who is haughty in pub- 
lick life, will be haughty in private life except 
vvhen fawning for popularity. He who would 
infringe on the rights of the publick, would 
infringe on the rights of individuals. He who 
svould violate a pubUck oath would violate a 
private contract. He who would abuse pub- 
lick confidence would abuse private confi- 
dence ; and he who w ould be ungrateful to 
ills country would be ungrateful to his friend. 
He in short who is destitute of prudence, ho- 
nor; humanity or integrity in public life, will 
be dcstitntute of the same aualitics in private 



life. 



TliC dibtlnction made by the people of this 
country, to which I have adverted, must pro- 
ceed upon the presumption that the private 
life of a publick candidate is no criterian from 
v.hlch to infer what will be his publick con- 
duct. If this is not the case I cannot con- 
ceive that a republick, so highly jealous of its 
rights, would give up the important one of 
enquiring into the real character of publick 
candidates and would give no weight to their 
professions, whether publick or private. Nei- 
ther have publick men any reason to com- 



( 41 ) 

plain of such enquiry; for where the right 
belongs to the one party there can be no hard- 
ship to the other. When a candidate comes 
forward and lays claim to the confidence of 
the people, he incurs all the rehponsibility of 
the measure, and it is not only the right 
but the duty of the people to enquire into the 
justice of his pretensions. If he wishes to 
throw aside his private character and appear 
in a publick one, he is no better than he who 
having violated the law, assumes a new dress 
and name to prevent his being recognized, ar- 
rested and brought to the tribunal of justice. 
And what are the parts of his private life 
^vhich should enter into consideration ? Not 
his empty declamations, nor his continual 
echo of certain popular words which have no 
definite meaning, or Vvhich if they have, are 
neither felt nor understood. We should look 
to his srentral character and his conduct in 
situations of difficulty and temptation which 
required the exercise, and not the professions, 
of virtue. Li on all such occasions he has 
been governed by the principles of honor and 
humanity ; if he has exercised the portlfu of 
privaie power he possessed with moderation 



C 42 ) 

and discretion ; if he has extended to merit 
however poor the hand of esteem, and dispised 
vice though surrounded by riches ; and if to 
these quahfications are added the necessary 
mental acquirements ; this man may safely be 
pronounced worthy of publick patronage and 
will not abuse it. 

The private life of men is not only the 
most general test which we can have of his 
publick pretensions, but certainly the surest, 
.and if skilfully consulted, can seldom mislead. 
Authors have remarked, that a short jest or a 
single expression will often exhibit the real 
character of a man in a stronger light than 
sieges or victories. Accordingly, the most 
skilful biographers have seized those incidents 
as indispensably necessary to convey a just 
idea of the characters thev would describe, 
and when properly selected, not only display 
the skill of the biographer, but are most amu- 
sing to the reader. We love to view them in 
these moments of privacy and relaxation in 
which nature acts without restraint, and when 
every quality, good or bad, is fully exhibited. 
When, on the contrary, they are acting in pub- 
lick life, or courting the suffrage of the people, 



{ 43 ) 

they often appear in a borrowed character. 
Their real qualifications lie hid from our view, 
and Me see nothing but the exterior, and hear 
nothing but their professions. They are like 
an actor on the stage, who assumes a fictiti- 
ous character and performs a part which his 
own nature could not aspire to. 

It is not surprising that men who thus get 
into power by their -party zeal, without prin- 
ciple, and their professions without practice, 
should often appear in a new character, and 
display a conduct in perfect contrast with what 
was expected. But it would not have been 
surprising if the publick inspection had been 
directed in the proper channel. They would 
infallibly have discovered in private Hfe the 
davvnings of that character to which power now 
gives the full exercise. The character of men 
is not changed in an instan^. Power does not 
alter the good or the bad ; but only gives that 
exercise to the qualities of each, which 
before was not so fully displayed. It is a 
remark of some author whom I do not recol- 
lect, that the ingredients of the character which 
govern us through life, is in general formed at 
seven years of age, and this character is de- 



(44 ) 

veloped in every successive stage, and more 
particularly when possessed of power, or act«. 
ing in the unrestrained situations of private life. 
But how far from the rule which these ob- 
servations would suggest, is that which go- 
verns the people of this infatuated country, in 
political matters! It is not the private virtues 
of a man, not even his acts in public life, 
which entitle himtopublick confidence. What 
is it then ? His attachment to the most popu- 
lar party, and his professions to this purpose. 
And what is the peculiar fascination of these 
parties ? What are the principles by which 
they are governed ? No principle at all, and 
the facination exists in the individual and not 
in any mental or moral superiority of the par- 
ty or the cause. How, then, are these prin- 
ciples, opinions, prejudices, or whatever you 
may call them, acquired ? They are, in gene- 
ral, derived by the individual from his parents 
at an age when he is incapable of judging of 
their propriety, or perhaps even understand- 
ing them : they are kept alive and inflamed 
by mutual opposition. When an individual 
ch^Mges his tenets, he has been so long accus- 
tomed to view things in the mass, that he can 



( 45 ) 

advert to no medium, but goes quite over to 
the otiier party.... and in this his ardour is just 
as strong as it was in that he has left. When- 
ever such recantations happen, the individual 
is branded by the party he has deserted, as 
guilty of flagrant inconsistency. Deluded par- 
ti zans! how much aie ve mistaken! Think 
ye, that in this solitary instance of apparent 
inconsistencv, he incurs the charsre more than 
ye who make the proceedings of your party 
the measure of truth, and not truth the mea- 
sure of the proceedings of your party ; and 
who, fl-oniyoiir blind attachment to men and 
not to principles, are, and ever must be, liable 
to continual inconsistencies ! In the warmth 
of this zeal men of tlie most amiable virtues, 
and who would be equally amiable in publick 
life, are neglected for the uncharitable and vi- 
olent partizan. Men of the most extensive 
information, or the finest talents stand no com- 
petition with beings so ignorant, that if you 
take certain political names out of their mouth 
they are scarcely able to utter an idea on any 
subiect v\hatever. Veterans who have served 
their country long and faithfully, and who, in 



( 46 ) 

the independence of their spirit are upon some 
pubhck measure, recognized in another party, 
are thrown aside and the upstart of yesterday- 
taken in his place. To act independently is 
considered to act treacherously, and to act im- 
partially to act dishonestly. 

1 have, perhaps, been led into the whole of 
these reflections by an adventure which I late- 
ly met V, ith in the country. In one of m.y 
excursions through the state of Virginia, I 
stopt at the house of a farmer from v\ horn I 
obtained a very welcome reception. I had 
introduced myself as a traveller, and at his re- 
quest I was induced to stay a few days by w^ay 
of relaxation. I had much conversation with 
him on ^opicks relative to the country in ge- 
neial, but politicks was the subject on which 
he most delighted to talk. I always listened 
to his effusions with attention, and without 
partaking in the conversation, only regarded 
his remarks as materials for mv own reflection. 
Once at dinner, after having drank to the 
spirit of liberty he began a regular eulogium. 
on its blessings...." You have travelled," said 
he, " through the countries of Europe, and 
'' must have beheld, with a sigh, the op- 



( 47 ) 

'' pressed and degraded condition of human 
*' nature. There you have seen the great 
*' mass of the people labouring to support 
*' a few. There a few proud and haughty 
*' nobles iook down with contempt on the 
*' labouring poor; to whom they are, never- 
" theless, indebted for all their pomp. But 
*' here, sir, the scene is different.... a scene 
*' which the enlightened friend of man may 
'* contemplate with rapture. Our coun- 
" try is a school in which every foreigner 
" may learn the rights of human nature and 
" the wisdom of republican institutions. — 

** Here on the broadest basis" The votary 

of liberty was here stopped by the entrance of 
a servant who approached him in an humble 
attitude and presented a note. The master 
took it in a hasty manner and spoke, " Why 
" sirrah, did you stay so long on this errand ? 
*' Did I not give you your orders ? Haveyow 
** forgot tlie lacing I lately gave you on a si- 
*' milar occasion ?" The poor wretch, bend- 
ing in an humble manner, answered " Master 
*' I proceeded with all the haste I could, but 
*' the steward was in one of the outer fields, 
*' and it was some time before 1 could find 



( 48 ) 

*' him out. It has not been half an hour'* 
sweating and blowing from fatigue, " since I 
'* got his answer." '^ Begone, villain, from 
** my presence," cried the master, *' and let 
*' me hear none of thy lying excuses." He 
now began his oration exactly \^ here he had 
left off....'' Here, on the broadest basis, every 
*' man exercises the rights of human nature, 
*' and enjoys the fiuits of his own labour. 
*' Here are no exclusive priviledges to any 
" proud or imperious individuals, but the laws 
" operate alike on all. ...they are as promiscu- 
'* ously, or equally enjoyed as the light of the 
*' sun, or the air which we breathe.'' The 
orator seemed to be now just getting into the 
spirit of his oration, and I know not how long it 
would have lasted had not one of the servants 
accidentally let fall a wine glass.... the noise so 
startled and enraged the master that, seizing a 
stick which lay near him, he gave him several 
unmerciful strokes, and then, in a very dis- 
composed manner took his seat. This gave 
an entire new turn to the mind of ihe master, 
and he seemed to have now entirely forgoten 
his oration. '* These negroes," he began, 



( 49 ) 

are the most careless and ungrateful wretch- 
es in the world. They forget that they owe 
their clothing, food, and every thing to their 
master, and do nothing to deserve what is 
given them. They even forget that they 
are servants, and the obedience which they 
owe us. My philosophy is often put to the 
severest trial to bear with them. Some de- 
luded persons would have them^set free.... 
But they forget that it is impracticable, and 
such a measure would produce more incon- 
venience than they are aware of. Many 
w^ho ai*e now supported by their negroes 
would • then have to voork for themselves. 
This is a hardship to which we should not 
be reduced. Besides, negroes are in every 
respect inferior to the whites, and in these 
distinctions nature evidently designed they 
should be under our dominion." 



( 50 ) 



LETTER IV. 



I HAVE more than once O ! thou friend 
of my heart, spoken of the political parties of 
this country, and the deplorable exiravigance 
by which they are governed, but there is no 
evil without its concomitant good, and it 
would in fact be extremely difficult to deter- 
mire whether this spirit is here productive 
of most good or evil. It is at once the bane 
and antidote of a republick : without a portion 
of it no republick can exist, and with too 
much it may be overwhelmed in destruc- 
tion. The operation of this principle may be 
compared to the river Nile, which when flow- 
ing within proper bounds serves to fertilize 
the adjacent country and gives to vegitation 
all its charms; but overliowing these bounds 
is productive of ruin and desolation. 

The spirit of party is here necessary at pe- 
riods of ]iubiick election, in order to direct 



( 51 ) 

the publick choice in such a manner as to 
exclude much difficulty. Each party makes 
choice of some conspicuous character whom 
they design to support, and this selection is 
made long before the period of election arrives. 
The union of the members of each party is so 
perfect, their sentiments so congenial, and 
their party interest so identified that the se- 
lection is spontaneous and undivided. Thus 
two men at least equally respectable in 
point of character and talents, but of different 
party opinions, are held up for publick choice, 
and he who gets the majority of votes is 
duly elected. But it is evident that this 
happy facility of election could not take place 
were it not for the salutary operation of party 
spirit. On the contrary the mostseriousdifncui- 
ties would be the consequence, and the wheel 
ofgovernment perhaps entirely stop't. Men are 
so much governed by self-interest, so much 
engrossed in private concerns that a portion 
of party spirit is necessary to rouse the publick 
mind, to draw it from private concerns and 
give to it a due attention to publick objects. 
It was destined to supply the place of pure 
disinterested benevolence, and so far as it 



( 52 ) 

answers this purpose it is valuable and saluta- 
ry. Was it not for party zeal, publick 
elections in this country would be divested 
of all their importance. The publick mind 
^vould neither be sufficiently engaged in re- 
llecting on the subject nor the publick at- ^ 
tention directed to it in due time before its 
arrival. But the most fatal circumstance 
would be that where the attention of the nation 
was not, by the dividing influence of party 
spirit, directed to a moderate number of can- 
didates; w^here the sentiments of each indivi- 
dual were detached, and knovvu cnly to him- 
self, a hundred candidates or none at all might 
be nominated. Indeed under such difficulty, 
I cannot perceive hovv^ an election could take 
plice. To be du:y elected the candidate 
must have a majority of votes of the whole 
na-ion or district; but v/here the, publick 
suiTrage is divided among so many it could 
not Le fairly expressed and no particular 
candidate chosen. In publick deliberating 
bodies of a moderate number this difficulty 
may be obviated by frequent ballots conti- 
tiiiually dropping him who hasfewes votes, 
but when weadvertto a nation or district, the 



C 53 ) 

difficu Ity seems to be insurmountable. . But 
admitting that so many candidates might not 
be nominated, what reason is there in the na- 
ture of things to believe that the number would 
be few ? By what land mark can the people 
be governed r or who in a repubUck can dic- 
tate to the people on a subject of such diilicul- 
ty and delicacy ? Veither can this point be set- 
tled by la^v. Let us suppose that a certain 
number of candidates, two or three, is limited 
by law. By whom, the question again recurs, 
are the particular characters to be pointed out, 
or the m]mr>er prescribed ? Or how is the voice 
of the sovreign people to be directed on the oc- 
casion. Ti us we see that a republick dj vest- 
ed r>f partv spirit would be like a vessel 
deprived of its rudder, and driven in any and 
eve] V direction. 

B^si;les these most prominent advantages 
of -rarty spirit, there are otliers equally insep- 
arable from it. And each party operates as a 
ch( ck on the other. It rouhcs the people to 
exercise their rights, to enquire into pub- 
lick proceedings. The movements of pub- 
lick men are vlgilan y v\at iucl an l every 

fault exposed. Tliey are thus restrained vviih- 

£ 2 



( 54 ) 

in the bounds of duty, and despair of arriving^ 
at an ambitious power. It inspires them with 
vigilance and caution in every publick mea- 
sure. . 

There is one beneficial operation of party 
spirit which perhaps deserves particular no- 
tice. A nation, in her intercourse with others, 
is too apt, on every subject of difference, to 
think her antagonist in the wrong. Her own 
honor and interest are felt with the keenest sen- 
sibility, whilst that of her opponent makes but 
a faint impression or none at all. All the ar- 
guments in favour of her own cause appear in 
aggravated colours, while those in favor of 
the cause of her adversary are ah^ays depre- 
ciated, or not at all adverted to. At such pe- 
riods, the daring spirit of party exercises a free 
enquiry. It exhibits both sides of the ques- 
tion, and diffuses important information. It 
checks the infatuation of self- love, and brings 
a nation to recollect that she also is not in- 
fallible. By this means, she is often pre- 
served from the calamities of ^\ar, or from 
the adoption of precipitate measures which 
would lead to it. By this means her national 
character is preserved and a conduct of mode- 
ration extended towards all nations. , 



( 55 ) 

From these considerations it appears, that 
a repiibiick without party spirit wou- uke 

the tree viihout its portion of rain, in conse- 
quence of u hich it must not only lose its ver- 
dure, but languish and perish rhi> spirit 
is, nevertheless, at all times prouucavc yi its 
portion of evils, and when it rises into vif)lence 
-may overwhelm a government in distn»ction. 

The welfare of a republick, and ihe exist- 
ence ' f its government, depend entirely on the 
prudent and vigilant conduct of the people.... 
and (his column removed the whole edifice 
tumbles into ruins. For this reason there is no 
argument against the republican government, 
so strong as the fluctuating and intemperate 
disposition of the people. Of all those princi- 
ples which lead the publick mind astray, party 
spirit is, perhaps, the most prominent. It is 
the most inseperable evil of a republick, and 
productive of the most violent effects. It dif- 
fuses a spirit of infatuation, envelopes the 
human mind in one universal cloud of preju- 
dice, and exhibits every topick of reflection in 
a distorted shape Accidents add to the state 
of publick irritation, till at last the torrent is 
Ko longer to be restrained. In these dis- 
astrous times of publick delusion, there 



( 56 ) 

are never wanting viplent and ambitious 
men who are f .lemost to direct the stonru 
Convulsions arise and blood must flow. Ah ! 
whither now is fled the boasted reason of man ! 
Whither is fled those sparks of celestial intel- 
ligence which has measured the distance of 
the planets.... «-Ietermined their bulk.... ascer- 
tained their relations.... and fixed their orbits, 
while flying through the infinity of space. 
Behold the chief, the enlightened inhabitants 
of the earth engaged in murdering each other. 
Behold a nation once united and ready to op- 
pose, with one feeling and one eflbrt, any fo- 
reign-aggression, now divided into infatuated 
parties, each striving to establish their pou er 
on the destruction of the other. And what 
does this prove but the unaccountable blind- 
ness of man. ...the weakness of his reason, and 
the force of his passions ? These terrible 
eftects aiise not from earthquakes or storms, 
but from the bosom of man himself. Alas ! 
by what blind infatuation are the human spe- 
cies s-overned ! I I vvhut opDosite lii^rhs is 
hu'oan iiuture presented to view ! In one case 

we bciiold a man arraisrned before the tribunal 

'J 

of justice for committing a single murder, 



( 57 ) 

and condemned to the gallows for the crime ; 
in another we behold a field groaning beneath 
mangled carcasses, and smoaking blood, and 
no tribunal to appeal to. Force is substituted 
for law, the murdering^ sword for ihe scales of 
justice, and the party that sheds most blood is 
that which claims all that justice could be- 
stow. Ah let me turn from the unhappy 
picture. Let me endeavour to console myself 
in viewing the peaceRil charms of nature.... 
the tranquil stream murmering over its bed, 
and gently flowing down its green and flowery 
banks.... the variagated landscape, and the 
charming groves waving to and fro under the 
influence of gentle zephers. Let me view, at 
a distance, the innocent lambs skipping to- 
gedier on the green, they that never felt or 
dreamed of any malignant passion. Let me 
listen to the charming birds while they chaunt 
forth their notes from the grove. Let me 
view the painted ducks gently swimming up 
and down the smooth unruflled stream. Ah, 
amidst these peaceful scenes my heart feels 
content, and I can listen, with a tear of sym- 
pathy, to the plaintive cooing of the distant 
dove. Why, innocent warbler, are thy notes 



( 58 ) 

bO mournful ! Has some accident disturbed 
. thy peace ? Hast thou been disappointed in 
thy love, and now solitary and alone vent thy 
sorrows to the rocks and Vvoods. 

From these beautiful scenes let me direct 
my thoughts to objects more sublim-e. Let 
me view that, glorious luminary from which 
we all derive life and comfort, and which gives 
to the vegitable kingdoms, those charms 
upon which I gaze with delight. How 
unlike the fluctuating and intemperate dispo. 
sition of man is this glorious object, always 
magnificent bright and uniform ! From what 
source is its i.iexhaustable and ever flowing 
light supplied I Who can tell for how many 
ages it has dispersed its rays through the in- 
finity of space ! Who can count the ages of 
its existence, and how many it is still to exist, 
when every object of animal or vegetable life 
now on earth shall be no more. Perhaps it is 
eternal, and, like its omnipotent Creator, des- 
tined to shine forever. 



( 59 ) 



LETTER V. 



There are a species of publications in this 
country, commonly issued several times a 
week, and the object of which is to detail the 
news of the day, whether foreign or domestick, 
and generally contain remarks on these topicks 
by the editor. Internal events and public pro- 
ceedings are viewed as objects of primary 
importance, and entitled to the first and high- 
est consideration of the people. The press is 
regarded as the most powerful weapon against 
the encroachments of ambition or tyranny, 
and its liberty is looked upon as sacred and 
inviolable. Nothing would more completely 
rouse the indignation of the people than for 
publick men to make the smallest encroach- 
ment on this priviledge. Its licentiousness 
and liberty is considered as inseperable, and 
}-je who would seek to apply a remedy to the 



( 60 ) 

one would immediately be thought to aim a 
blow at the other. 

In all republicks this jealousy of rights is 
highly necessary and salutary ; and whenever 
this spirit becomes extinct, the people at once 
become the tools of ambitious tyrants. They 
cannot be too vigilant in watching the conduct 
of publick men, or too prompt in checking the 
first dawning of evil designs. They must 
preserve their rights while the purjiick men 
are their servants, and it is too late to attempt 
it when they are the servants of their piibiick 
men. That moral maxim which in the re- 
lations of private life, would teach us to put 
the best construction on every \\ ord or act of 
others, is not applicable to our judgment of 
publick proceedings, but the reverse is more 
prudent as well as more salutary. Ami^itious 
designing men never let fall an ex])resbion 
w^hich can exhibit their real character, or dis- 
close their real intentions; they are constant- 
ly full of professions of their regard for the 
rights and welfare of the people ; but all this 
time they are advancing step by step to the 
object of their ambition, while it is unknown 
to any one but themselves. They know it 



( 61 ) 

will not do to attempt to exercise power he- 
fore they possess it, but when once they gain 
it thev^ know how to secure it as well as to ex- 
ercise it. The people awake from their dream 
and find themselves slaves.... they behold the 
ruins of their once adored liberty, and in itS' 
place a despotism rears its iron iront. The pros- 
perity of every republick, no doubt, depends 
much on the conduct of their publick men, 
but infinitely more on that ©f the people, and 
if ever their liberty is curtailed or destroyed, 
the fault is originally iheir own. For these 
reasons the great advantages of the liberty of the 
press are obvious. It is a perpetual tribunal 
before which publick characters are arraigned, 
and their acts exposed to the light, and con- 
standy reminds them of that more alarming 
tribunal of law before which they may be call- 
ed, and the vengeance of the people which 
awaits them lor dishonest conduct. It is to 
be regretted, however, that these writers are 
in general so poorly qualified for the discharge 
of the important duties of their occupation, 
that their talents or infoimation is so limitted, 
and this so much perverted by party spirit. 
In a former letter 1 endeavoured to shew that 

F 



C 62 ) 

this principle had a salutaiy tendency in a re- 
publick. There is no doubt, however, that a 
publick print conducted by an intelhgent, inde- 
pendent, and candid vvriter would, at all times, 
do much good and diffuse much important 
information, were it not that the people them- 
selves are so much under the influence of 
party spirit, that they are never disposed to 
encourage a paper of such a cast. The par- 
tizans on either side, however violent their 
zeal, take no paper but such as are consistent 
with their own opinions, and to expect to form 
correct opinions on political subjects from such 
aid is as absurd as to attempt to write a letter 
with the use of only half of the letters of their 
alphabet. A judge must hear the arguments 
and evidence on both sides of the question be- 
fore he can be master of the subject, or give 
a correct decision. This maxim is, indeed, 
one of the most universal to which the mind 
of man is familiar, and we should be con- 
stantly exposed to error did we not advert to it. 
Why have these people made particular excep- 
tion to this rule in the department o; politicks? 
It is here, in fact, w here it is most necessary. 
Why ? Because the violence of their political 



( C3 ) 

zeal is so apt to cany them beyond the bounds 
of reason, and because these party opinions are 
not derived from rtfiection or study, but from 
their parents and the impression of early years. 
This is an indubitabie fact, and in a thousand 
instances there is scarcely one exception to it. 
'i'he argument acquires additional strength 
when we reflect that the paper which is re- 
ceived, instead of being: calculated to remove 
these prejudices, tends in every respect to 
confirm them, that the author, like the reader, 
being under the influence of party spirit, views 
every thing in a distorted shape ; that what- 
ever comes from his pen is ever exaggerated, 
and that truth and falshood are so mixed that 
4t is impossible to separate the one from the 
other. A man of the best intellects and the 
most moderate temper would have to exercise 
a vigilant reflection to separate the pure metal 
from the dross. But what great advantage 
can such a puper be to a reader whose mind 
is already sufficiently perverted, and who is 
inclined to believe, without discrimination, 
every thing that the author in the violence of 
his zeal mav aflSrm* 



{ 64 ) 

The re can be no doubt, however, that pub- 
lick prints in a generalpoint of vitw are oi'in- 
fiiiite service in every republick. It is, indeed, 
mucli to be reg-retted that the editors of them 
>\ ho might be the guardians of public hberty 
•lo not corifine themselves widiin their province, | 
and that the liberty of the press should be so 
triuch perverted by its licentiousness. But 
aias ! how can it be otherwise when their own 
defects are those which are least known ; 
when thev mistake the violence of their zeal 
for publick jmtriotism and their malignant pas- 
sions for a concern for the publick good? It is 
the busirjess of one party to condemn every 
publick act, and that of the other to approve; 
and such is the force of party spirit that there 
is rarely any intermission or exception. — 
V/hePi any tliing improper is done the oppo- 
sition party are never tired of their invectives, 
bur \\\\i n an.y measure is adopted which exhi- 
bits publick men in a favorable light, the least 
which they do is to remain silent, but more 
.eenerally to represent it in the blackest co- 
lours. It has been said that the rugged breast 
of the savage may be teuched with the charms 
Qf virtue, but the more rugged breasts of 



( 65 ) 

printers are insensible to those charms. When 
they can find nothing to bUme in the publick 
conduct of pubhck officers, they descend into 
the acts of their private Hfe, and when they 
cannot ahenate the affections of their country 
they would wish to alienate the affections of 
their friends. The honesty of the motive and 
the difficulty of the crisis never soften the vio- 
lence of their invective, while the good that re- 
sults from publick proceedings is sought for in 
any source rather than the wisdom or virtue of 
publick men. On the fairest characters they 
diffuse the die of their own hateful passions, 
and then cry aloud to the world to behold the 
deformity of the object which has made so 
miich noise. They are like the callous wretch 
v\ ho, insensible to the charms of a Venus De 
Medccis, would besmeie it over with dirt or 
filth. And who are these who assume this 
high province over the gi eatest characters in 
the country ? Are they beings possessed of 
supeniatural talents and virU es ? Oh no ! If 
this was the case their conduct would be very 
different. They are no more to be compared 
to the characters they abuse than the stars are 

to the sun in whose blaze they are lost and 

2 F 



( 66 ) 

©bscured. They are in many instances equal- 
ly deficient in talents anci information, and 
know nothing of poHticks except the names. 
They are contemptible in eve.y point of view 
but still more so in their professional pursuits 
and that in which they assume most self im- 
portance. They are the reverse of what they 
ought to be, and the shadows of what they 
pretend to be. 

There is a particular custom among these 
Printers, which I cannot but notice, and this 
is crouding their composition with words, 
expressions, and sentences in Italick letters, 
or letters distinguished from the rest, thereby 
begging their readers not to pass them over 
without weighing their importance. This is 
an artifice like that of a trader afiixin.sj labels 
in praise of his articles, as if he thought peo- 
ple so easily imposed on as to judge from 
such inscriptions without examining the qual- 
lity of the article itself. If the idea, or any 
part of it be striking, it does not require the 
aid of new type to give it its proper effect, and 
if it is dull it cannot be rendered bright from 
this circumstance. It is a miserable expedi- 
ent to su^ ply, or rather to conceal on paper, 



( 67 ) 

the vacancies in the mhid of the writer, and 
without answering any good only serres to 
expose his vanity. I thought that words were 
only the signs of our ideas, that they could 
not alter them, and that it is perfectly imma- 
terial by what characters they be conveyed, 
so as they are understood. If the reader can 
be attracted by the novelty of type he is as silly 
as the writer is vain. He displays the folly 
of him who wearies himself in digging for a 
gold mine, because he discovered the tran- 
sient glitter of a piece of iron ore. 

Perhaps in these remarks on the printers of 
newspapers, I have gone too far, and though 
they are, in general, true, there are certainly 

men who afford prominent exceptions. 

There are members of this profession Vv'ho 
are not only well acquainted with its duties 
and the politicks of their country, but who are 
possessed of general learning and information. 
They seldom, however, possess sufficient in- 
dependence of judgment to acknowledge that 
talents and frailties belong to both parties, and 
that Their own parry is sometimes iji the 
wrong and the other sometimes in tlie rights 



C 68 ) 



LETTER VI. 



Providence, O thou friend of my heart ! 
seems to have destined this country for some 
important ^jurpo^e, and has given it every na- 
tural and political advantage. Perhaps no na- 
tion on earth, not even China itself can com- 
pare with it in several respects. Its first and 
most prominent advantage is its remote situa- 
tion fi om the convulsions of the European 
world which amidst all its splendid improve- 
ments in the arts and sciences, ever has been 
and probably ever will be the theatre of wars 
carried on with a more deep rooted rivalship 
and hatred, and with more disasterous conse- 
quences than is to be found among the most 
barbarous tribes. A vast ocean at once unites 
and divides this republick from Europe, and 
whilst it enjoys the blessings of a commercial 
intercourse with that portion of the world, it 
is placed beyond the disasters ofits never end- 



( 69 ) 

ing wars. It has still less to fear from the fee- 
ble colonies, or the barbarian Indians by 
which it is surroumied. 1 his nation is the 
only independant one and the only one of any 
strength or importance in North America. 
Her progress in national strength, and all the 
branches of civiliza^tion more particularly 
since her rt volution has been rapid and un- 
precedented and it has been but a few ages 
since the greater part of her territory was in* 
habited by nothing but howling beasts of prey. 
She has rose far above any neighbouring co- 
lony, wliile the liberty of her government, 
the mildness of her laws, the cheapness of 
land and other advantages, have occasioned a 
great number of Europeans to resort to it, and 
make it their adopted country. Wiih the rcigh- 
bourino- Indians she has had some wars, but the 
latter \^ ere soon taught to dread the effects of 
superior numbers, arms, and descipline. Since 
the conclusion of peace the United States have 
strove bv friendlv conduct to inspire them 
widt confidence ; have sent emissaries among 
them to instruct them in the arts of civiliza- 
tion, which they are beginning to adopt and 
which are daily increasing among them.. 



( "0 ) 

Seperated as this country is from Europe, 
perhaps no individual power of that quarter 
can transport an army sufficient to conquer 
it, and it would be a measure attended with 
such vast tx pence and hazzard as will per- 
haps never be risked, and if attempted 
would proi:)ably be unsuccessful. The 
advantages of the United States in such a 
contest could only be equalled by the disad- 
vantaL'-es of her enemv. The armv of the for- 
mer would be constantly increasing ; that of the 
latter would more probably be constantly di- 
minishing. 'I'he supplies of the former are4iear 
and easily obtained, those of the latter are at a 
distance, and obtained with great difficulty. 
Tiie necessarv assistance is obtained bv the 
former at the most critical period ; that of the 
latter would frequently come when it is too late. 

The next great blessing of this country 
is its republican goverrimentand humane laws. 
The governnients may be divided into tlie 
general and states government. The gene- 
ral or Federal government is divided into \eg^ 
islative and executive departments. The leg- 
islative department is composed of a senate 
and house of representatives which hold their 



( 71 ) 

deliberations separate. Each state contributes 
two senators J and they are chosen by the re- 
spective governments of the state from which 
they are sent. The term of their office is six 
years. For the housr of representatives one 
mc mber is chosen bv each of the districts of 
each of the states, and is elected by the peo- 
ple. These districts are in number propor- 
tioned to the population of the slates, and are 
of course very unequal. The term of their of. 
fice is ttrnrr years. These two bodies which 
compose the legislature have the power of de- 
liberating on all matters of a general or na- 
tional nature, such as declaring war or con- 
cluding peace, raising or disbanding armies, 
and deliberating on all points of relation 
with other nations. Such is the general 
complexion of its powers, but to descend 
into the tedious detail which the subject 
w^ould admit of, is a task which could not 
be accomplished in the compass of a letter, 
nor am I disposed to er.gc^ge in it. I v\ ill 
only remark that congress itself is often at 
a loss on points relative to the extent of its 
powers, which produce long debates. Tiie 



( 72 ) 

♦ 

general government of the United States is 
supported by eludes on imported articles. 

The executive department consists of a 
president aiid vice president. The former 
is by far the most important character, and the 
perfor>mance of the latter is little more than to 
preside over the deliberations of the senate. 
The president has the execution of many of 
the laws, but not those which come under the 
jurisdiction of the courts of the United States. 
The functions of the executive :department 
require that it should be in constant session. 
It corresponds with foreign ministers residing 
in the country, and gives instructions to mi- 
nisters of the republick residing at foreign 
courts. It receives the dispatches of foreign 
ministers, and when it is thought necessary 
lays tJiem before congress. It has the power 
of convening congress on extraordinary occa- 
sions. It has the power of granting pardons 
or remitting fines in decisions of the federal 
courts. 

The governments of the different states are 
instil uted on a model very similiar to the 
general government, though the object of their 
power is different. The ieglblative body is 



( 73 ) 

is composed of a senate and house of represen- 
tatives; the former chosen from the senatorial 
districts, and the latter by each county. — 
These governments have the power of making 
laws of a common, but not of a national cast, 
and which govern the state courts but not the 
federal courts. Of course the laws made by 
these governments only opperate in the respec- 
tive states, in which they are established. 

The executive authority is lodged in the 
hands of the governor, who, in some of the 
states is chosen by the legislature, and in 
others by the people, and generally has a coun- 
cil of a fe# members to assist him. This 
department has the execution of certain 
laws, and the power of granting pardons ; and 
special power is sometimes vested in it by the 
legislature, to be exercised when the latter is 
not in session. 

Publick men thus chosen by the people, 
elected for short periods, and always subject 
to their check and controul, are naturally and 
habitually led to make the interest of the peo- 
ple the polar star of their conduct. 

G 



( 74 ) 

The next great advantage of this country is 
its wide extent of fertile soil. No part of it is 
so th ckly inhabited as to produce poverty, and 
there remains large tracts which are not inha- 
bited at all. Whilst in China, every foot of 
land is cultivated with care, here are vast 
tracts f^hich are inhabited by nothing but sa- 
vage beasts. While there population is so 
great, that the helpless infant is often exposed 
to death, this country is an assyium to the op- 
pressed of every other nation, and the emigra- 
tion of forei2:ners considered an advantao-e. — 
This extensive territory, must necessarily 
turn the attention of the people t|LagricuIture, 
as their chief pursuit, and is a source of im- 
mense wealth. It is for this reason that every 
class of citizens can easily hnci employment, 
and that their labor ccrjamands a good price. 
It is for this reas(n ihat there are so few beg- 
gars in the couhtiy, and thcit there is more 
equality in the posse.'ision of property than in 
most other nations. The numher of native 
Americans v\ ho are rt(:uced to the necessity 
of begging, is ex trem^ely few. Perhaps they 
never can resort to it without fcrfeitii g supe- 
rior advaiiccigcs, and in cases of lameness, 



( 75 )■ 

weakiic^s, or habitual disease, the law humane- 
ly provides a support. It is not uncommon, 
houever, to meet with foreigners \vho have 
never been naturalized, that pursue the prac- 
tice of begging. These are such probably 
who had been accustomed to beg in the coun- 
try they left, and now fromjiabit resume the 
practice, and are excluded from the benefit of 
the poor, from the circumstance of not being 
citizens. Thus these urihappy beings, too 
lazv to work, and unable or ashamed to be- 
come ctizens, only to eat the bread of indus- 
try in aland to which they contribute nothing, 
pursue thef<:legrading practice to the end of 
their lives. 

I before remarked that this country is in 
general very thinly inhabited. There are a 
few states hovvcver where the soil is well cul- 
tivated and am-iculture advanced to a consi- 
derable state of improvement. This is more 
generally true of the northern states and the 
land adjacent the Atlantick. The more western 
states exhibit in many parts a miserable ap- 
pearance. The great fault of farming in this 
country has been a rage for cultivating too 
much land to the total neglect of manuring 



( 76 ) 

and improving. While their farmers are em- 
ployed in cultivating one part of a large field the 
other part is often overrun with grass, and 
\vhile in the former the growing article ex- 
hibits the freshness of cultivation, in the lat- 
ter it is languishing for want of the plough 
and the hoe. To jsuch a degree has this un- 
fortunate practice been carried, that on nu- 
merous large farms the timber has been cut 
down and wasted until there is none left for 
necessary use, while the cleared land for want of 
cultivation exhibits nothing but poverty. No 
w^onder \^hen vie look on such farms that we 
see the domestic animals broken down and 
wore out with excess of labour and ^\ ant of 
proper tieatment. How cften have I seen a 
poor half naked negro boy following a horse 
over stony solitary hills that could hardly drag 
one leg after another? How often have I seen 
tliese degraded negroes labouring in a dusty 
and barren soil \^hich perhaps they had a hun- 
dred times passed over in the sam.e manner 
without its ever having received the reviving 
influence of manure ? Thus the master is the 
worst of tyrants and reduces every thing 
around him to poverty and distress without 
deriving any advantage himself. 



( 77 ) 

Another great defect of the fanr«;ng cf-t^SC 
people is the shallowness of their ploughing. 
Deep ploughing is necessary in breaking up 
land, and is no less so in cultivation. But it is 
common enough here to see the plough totter- 
ing over stones skimming over the grass, entan- 
gled with briars or choaked with weeds, with- 
out doing any good to the article. Regular 
and deep ploughing is little attended to^ and its 
value little known. But the people are at 
last beginning to open their eyes to the wretch- 
ed practices of past cultivation, and a better 
system begins to dawn. The manner of Eng- 
lish cultivation, the example of several emi- 
nent farmers in their own country, and some 
books written on the subject have produced a 
favorable eiFect. The people now begin to 
attend to their domestic animals as well as to 
their desert fields. They now begin to know 
the importance of manuring, and pay more 
attention to the proper cultivation of a mode- 
rate portion of land, than cultivating a 
great deal tb no purpose. They are in some 
degree freed from old customs, and it is not 

difficult to foresee that they will graduallv, if 

G 2 



( 78 ) 

nmravidly improve. The greatest difficulty 
to improvement in every pursuit, is to get rid 
of the shackles of custom and prejudice. 

It is much to be wished that those who arfe 
destined to settle the immense territories, 
which are still desert, would take heed from 
the example of their fathers and pursue a dif- 
ferent course ; that they would not from a 
rage for cultivation, waste their timber and 
ruin their farms ; that they would not from 
an appearance of present advantage sacrifice 
their future prosperity, or to benefit them- 
selves, entail a mutilated territory on their 
posterity. 

Another feature of this country, is the 
wretched state of its roads in many parts. In 
China, as well as in some countries of Eu- 
rope, the roads are equal to the pavements of 
the towns, whilst here they are almost impas- 
sible. It is not uncommon for carriages to be 
upset from their irregularity, and at other 
times so deeply entangled in mire, as hardly 
to be extricated by the horses. Those who 
are on horseback must have the patience of a, 
philosopher, to endure the tedious difficulty 
with which his wearied horse moves on thro^ 



( 79 ) 

the mire. In other places he trembles > in 
passing over little pole bridges, often full of 
dangerous holes, and should his horse happen 
to step into one of them, might run the risk of 
breaking an ancle or a leg. As to foot pas- 
sengers, it is rarely that they are enabled to 
walk in the road, but are obliged to pick 
their way thro' the woods as well as they can. 
This description may appear exaggerated, but 
it is strictly true, though it is more particularly- 
applicable to the roads of the western part of the 
union. Thou wilt, perhaps, be still more sur- 
prised, when I inform thee that the condition 
of the streets in some of their towns is as bad 
as their roads. In Virginia, the principal 
towns are of this description, as well as some 
in several other parts of the union. In the 
winter you can hardly get along for the mud, 
and in the summer your eyes are almost put^ 
out with the dust. When the streets are in 
this miry condition, the people are obliged to 
wade patiently thro' the mud, or jump from 
one dry spot to another ; but it is seldom 
that they can extricate themselves without 
besmearing their boots or shoes, or besplash- 



( 80 ) 

ing their clothes. As to the ladies, they must 
either ride in carriages or remain in their 
houses, for it is impossible they can encoun- 
ter the mire, unless it be only to pass by a few 
dooib. Attieu. 



( 81 ) 



LETTER VII. 



There is a method of deciding private 
quarrels in this country, according to which 
the parties meet at a place previously agreed 
upon, and with loaded pistols fire at each other. 
The weapons, the distance at which the parties 
shall fire, and the time and place of meeting are , 
all fixed by the seconds, with the consent of 
the principals. Of these seconds, each party 
has one , and also a surgeon in case of being 
wounded. 

The laws throughout the union are, I be- 
lieve, designed to suppress the practice, but 
owing to the vigilance of the parties, the neg- 
ligence of the civil authorities or the indul- 
gence with which the custom is viewed by the 
publick, they are seldom ever carried into ex- 
ecution. I do not recollect to have heard of 
an instance of a person implicated in duelling, 
being subjected to the penalties, of the law. 



^ 



( 82 ) 

The proceeding scrrictimes adopted by the 
parties is to go into an adjoining state, v. hich 
of course must have jarisdiction of the oftence, 
and havirg executed their purpose, they re- 
turn to their native state where they are be- 
yond the reach of the civil authority. Some- 
times the act takes place in the native state of 
the parties, and if either is killed, the survivor 
as well as the second fly to an acijoining state, 
where they remiain until the matter is hushed 
or forgotten and then return. 

Upon the first view of this custom, it ap- 
pears to be an absurd one ; because the in- 
jured person is under as great a risk of losing 
his life as the other. But should the reverse 
take place, there is certainly neither honour 
nor pleasure to be derived from the considera- 
tion of being a murderer. In either case it is 
plunging into a greater evil to avoid a less, 
and sacrificii;^- the honourable dictates of con- 
science to an absurd opinion of society. 

It is remarkable that many of these profess- 
ed duellists, from a callousness of heart and 
selfish pride seem to exult in their feats in this 
w w ; and take to themselves as much honour 
for destroyins: the life of a fellow creature, as 



( 83 ) 

if they had been the means of saving one.-^ 
Some instances of a contrary nature, however, 
have fallen under my notice, and I have heard 
of persons who were hurried into a duel from 
thehjeat of passion or the pride of the moment, 
who had sumcieiit sensibility to regret it all 
their lives afterwards. 

In these transactions the seconds are often 
as much to blame as the principals. They 
often act the part of enemies in the disguise 
of friends. Their temper is not liable to be 
irritated, nor their judgment perverted by the 
peculiar circumstances of the aiiair, as is the 
case with the principals j and diey generally 
have it in their po^ver to jrioduce an accom- 
modation, but thev seem to be more desiruus 
to irritate than to reconcile. Many a cowardly 
second is ready enough to encourage a duel 
between others, which he would shiiiik from 
himself; to inspire courage ni another when 
he has none hmiself ; and talk of wounded 
honor, vihen in his verv conduct at the time, 
he she^vs he has no rational regard for it. 

One party imagines he has received an in- 
sult, and gives a challenge ; the other is afraid 
of being called a coward and accepts of it. 



( 84 ) 

yery often, however, when they get on the 
brink of the precipice, they shrink back, regret 
their folly, and are fully disposed to be recon- 
ciled. They are induced to terminate a matter 
through fear, which was begtin through pride, 
and to make those explanations very auk- 
wardly at last, which they might have done 
honorably at first. It is not, however, my 
intention to moralise on this subject but to 
describe. 1 will, therefore, relate a few in- 
stances of duelling, which have fallen under 
my notice, from which you will discover the 
manner in which it generally arises, and the 
method of proceeding. Johnson and Clopton 
meet together at a tavern.... they are glad to 
see one another; and in the joy of the moment 
call for a bowl, over which to dilute their 
friendship.. ..they repeat the anecdotes of their 
past lives, and laugh at their joint adventures.... 
their conversation soon partakes of every shape 
and colour, argumentation, story- telling, max- 
ims, jests, criticism, freedom, acrimony, and 
at last ends in quarrelling. The people about 
the house flock in the room and prevent them 
from proceeding to violence.... but Johnson 
tells Clopton that he will hear frcm him again; 



( 85 ) 

to which Ciopton replies that he will be reaclv 
to meet him in any manner, or in any place he 
may think proper. Johnson returns to his 
lodging and sends for a friend, to \\hom he 
imparts the whole affair. They both agree 
that his honor is deeply wounded ; and that 
the importance of the case requires that they 
should make the arrangement for repairing to 
the field as early as possible. The scene of 
combat, after solemn consultation, is fixed 
upon in an adjoining state. The parties order 
horses, servants, and portmanteaus for the 
expedition, and lay in stock to eat and drink 
sufficient to last them a year.... they exchange 
a fire, but w ithout doing any material damage, 
except that Johnson had a small piece of his 
thumb shot off and Ciopton had the thigh of 
his breeches perforated. Here the seconds 
interfere, and the heroes being men of great 
moderation, as w ell as great courage, are, after 
some hesitation, persuaded to desist. They 
now return to their native state in great pomp, 
each having proved himself to be a man of 
courage. 

Hopkins and Moore were men of very op- 
posite characters. Hopkins hud many exte- 

M 



( 86 ) 

rior accomplishments.... Moore recommended 
himself alt gether by tne unalfecteci goodness 
of his nature, and the fair simplicity of his 
manners. Hopkins attracted the attention of 
strangers.... Moore obtained the love of his 
friends and those who best knew him. Hop« 
kins paid great deference to estabii;-ihed cus- 
toms and the opinions of the world.... Moore 
often employed his good sense to expose the 
former, and consulting the dictates of his own 
conscience, paid very little attention to the 
latter. These characters sometimes met to- 
gether at the same house. Hopkins had taken 
up an idea that Moore disliked him ; and 
under this impression his jaundiced imagina- 
tion was ready to misconstrue every expres- 
sion thut fell from the latter. In a conversa- 
tion in which IVloore expressed himself with 
his usual freedom, but without any personal 
allusion, (of Vvhich indeed his nature was in- 
capable) Hopkins's heated imagination collect- 
ed a thousand expressions which he coactived 
were aimed direcdyat himself, and his colour 
changed repeatedly in the course of the re- 
marks which Pvloore made. Hopkiijs now 
returned to his iodgings.... locking huii:ielf up 



( 87 ) 

in his room, he continued to walk backwarcl 
and forward, repeating again and again the 
expressions he had heard,. ..he stamps his 
feet, throws up his arms ; curses the assassin 
of his character, and is determined to have re- 
Aenge....he attempts to go to rest; but his 
irritnted mind and turbulent dreams will not 
s uTer him to i;eep....he anxiously wishes for 
the ViQ-ht of dav, and earlv next morning sends 
to Moore the following note. '' In conse- 
quence of your indecent allusions to my 
character last eveniiig, I have to request that 
you will disavow every word you uttered, or 
meet me on the ground of a gentleman.'^ — 
Moore is astonished at receiving such a note; 
and still more at a loss to know the occasion of 
it.... he returns, hov»^ever, the following laconick 
answer. " The particulars of my remarks 
last evening; are fresh in my recollection, and 
conscious of havincj offered you no offence, I 
can give no explanation." The bearer returns 
with this to Hopkins, wlio now writes the 
following which is handed to Moore. ^'^As 
you have refused to give me the explanation 
I demanded, you must be prepared to comply 
with the only alternative which the nature of 



( £8 ) 

the case admits of. My liiend, who docs me 
t';ie honour of being the bearer of this, will 
arrange \v\\h your friend the terms of meet- 
ing.*' This note Moore hands back to the 
bearer without L.ivlng any reason for his non- 
acceptance of It. Upon this Ho. kins affixes, 
-in some public place, the following libel. *' I 
hereby pronounce Hazelo^i Moore to be a liar, 
a scoundre], a poltroon, and a coward. 

*' JOHN HOPKINS.'* 

To this pompous piece of idle nonsense, 
every ciie crouds to look with gaping curiosi- 
ty. The hero who is the author of it struts 
the street with more consequence than ever, 
and enjoys, if not in reality, at least in imagi- 
tiation, the admiration of the town. 

Rogers and Chiton were bodi paying their 
addresses to the same lac.} , and euch conceiv- 
ed he had the priority of claim. The young 
hdy seen.ed to prefer the pretensions of Clif- 
ton, but diis did not satir.fy Rogers.... he look- 
ed uipou his opponent as an intruder, v» ho had 
alienated the regard of the young lady from 
him, V ithout intending to marry her himself; 
but even if such were his views, it wounded 
him so much the more, that she whom he 



( 89 ) 

fondly believed, was to crown his happiness, 
should be torn from him and possessed by 
another. At last a challenge passed, and the 
necessary arrangements are preparing by the 
parties for carrying their view s into execution, 
but as the time approached each began to 
regret his rashness. *' Why, says one, should 
I sacrifice my life for a woman who has no 
regard for me ; whom, should I escape the 
danger of a duel, I shall never possess, and 
who, should I die, will not shed one tear for 
my memory ? Are there not many women in 
the world, as amiable and beautiful as she, and 
who would be more disposed to favor my ad- 
dresses ?" The other reflects pretty much in 
the same strain. *' Since I enjoy the smiles 
of her whom I love, why should I run the risk 
of blasting all the happiness which a peaceful 
union with her would bestow ? Why should 
I run the risk of losing my life or of plunging 
her into misery, merely to encounter the 
frowns of a jealous adversary ? Should I sur- 
vive, I might return with a broken leg, a.m or 
head, in which case I can never be the object 
of her love." These reflections unnerve the 

resolution of the parties, and almost throw^ 

H 2 



( 90 ) . 

ihem into a hypochondriack state; but the 
arrangement has now taken place, and they 
are bound to carry it into execution.... they do 
not, however, take much pains to conceal the 
affair from the publick, or to prevent it from 
coming to the ears of the magistrates, whose 
duty it is to suppress such practices. The 
seconds are sometimes seen passing backwards 
and forwards, sometimes conversing together, 
and sometimes walking in solemn consultation 
with the principals. The parties are seen 
moulding bullets, rubbing up their pistols, 
walking out to exercise at the mark, &c. See. 
They do not hesitate to disclose the matter in 
confidence to their friends, and take of them a 
pathetiok farewell, in case they should never 
see thehi again. They even drop ambiguous 
hints of it in publick, and leave people to draw 
their own conclusions. In the mean time the 
magistrates seeing what is on foot, have thei. 
parties arrested, and compel them to give se- 
curity for their good behaviour, which no 
doubt they very readily do, and are glad even 
on these terms to get rid of the affair. 

Earl and Stanhope were two respectable 
men of family. They resided in the same 



( 91 ) 

county, were of opposite politicks, and c?ac-lf 
offered to represent their county in the legisla- 
ture of the state. This, it seems was the sub- 
ject of their misunderstanding, and one re- 
ported, or was stated to have reported, that 
the other made use of unfair means to pro- 
cure his election. The honorable seconds 
who were concerned in this case, strove 
much to produce a reconciliation ; but new 
occurrences served to inflame the minds of the 
parties, and bring on the unhappy catastrophe. 
Stanhope had once made a kind of explana- 
tion, but something which he afterwards inad- 
vertantly uttered, which was told with ex- 
aggeration, served to inflame the matter 
beyond the possibility of reconciliation; The 
parties who had been so long intimate friends, 
who once esteemed each other's virtues, and 
forgave each other's foibles, now meet on the 
ground, with no other sentiment but that of 
murdering each other. They fired almost at 
the same instant. One was shot through the 
heart, instantly fell and expired on the spot. 
The other was dangerously wounded and car- 
ried in a car from the field. The efi'usion of 
blood was so great, that his friends almost 



( 92 ) 

despaired of reaching home with him alive.— 
This, however, they effected, and his distract- 
ed family, who with' sad presentiments had 
been enquiring for him in vain, now met him 
at the door, groaning in pain, disfigured w ith 
blood, and on the verge of existence. The 
skill of his physicians and the tenderness of 
his family are in vain, and in a few hours he 
expires. 



( &3 ) 



LETTER Vlir. 



I HAVE for some time past been acquainted 
with a man here who has rendered me several 
services ; and our acquaintance has now ri- 
pened into mutual frieridship and esteem. I 
have often felt the want of a friend in the coun- 
fries, through \\ hich I have successively travel- 
led, and national puculiarities h«ve aKvaj^s 
presented themselves as not tlie least obstacle 
to the attainment of my wislies. My present 
cora])anion has rieither the austerity of an 
Kng'lishrnan, nor tlie egotism -fa Frenc'hman ; 
he is iieiilici- too melancholy, nor too volatile ; 
but the ]i<<ht and shade of his character are 
very" liappily l)iended. But thoisgh his char- 
acter is made up of this well proportioned 
degree of different qualities, though he cannot 
l)e said to be under the habitual influence of 
any one humour m particular ; he in turrj 
partakes of them all ; and this is perhaps one 



( 94 ) 

of his piiculiarities. He possesses in a singu- 
lar degree that contagious sympaihy which 
btlongs" to the u hole human species, in their 
commerce with one another, and which is so 
strondy and immer-iatelv communicated from 
one to another, by the looks, the tone of voice, 
and even the position of the body and action 
of the hmhs. At tlie recital of a melancholy 
story, his looks are immediateiy cast to the 
eailh, while not unfrequently the tears flow 
down his cheeks, or if he looks up it is only 
to give vent to the sigh which labored in his 
bosom ; but upon hearing a lively anecdote, 
Or a witty pun, his countenance becomes as 
bright as the star immerging from a clcud, 
and not only speaks the pleasure he feels him- 
self, but diifuses the same pleasure amouQ ail 
around him. The sight of a funeral proces* 
sion depresses his heart with corresponding 
feelings ; but the celebration of a public day, 
or the sound of a drum, elevates his spirits in 
an equal degree. When a person enters the 
room in haste, his looks are immediately cast 
up full of enquiry and concern, for he expects 
to hear of some disaster that has happened in 
the street. My companion is an easy prey to 



( 95 } 

beggars : their decrepit appearance, their 
ragged dress, and their mouni/ui voice, are 
what his sympathy caiinot withstand ; and the 
hand ol reiiet is extended e're the tale of sor- 
row is heard. Notwithstanding these delu- 
sions, he prides himseU' on his skill in ph)si- 
ognomy, which is a science that his peculia- 
rities naturally lead him to study. He assures 
me that he has read Luvater through no less 
than five times, and that beside^ the amuse- 
ment he has derived from it, it has been of 
great service to him in detecting impostors, 
distinguishing merit and avoiding the im^io- 
sition of maukiiKl. What I have seen indeed 
of the worthy man conviiices me that he is ra- 
ther under the influence of his own s\ mpaihy, 
than of any general rules of Lavaier. An 
open digiiiHed look m a man, or the tranquil 
smiling countenance of a woman, are to him 
irresistable charms. When on our v\ alks we 
meet widi a person of this description, parti- 
cularly a female, he jogs me widi his arm and 
bids me behold the nueiesting creature. Often 
he will invoiuntaiily stop indie street, casta 
lingering look after the object, and wbea she 
turns a corner, or is^ confounded in a croud, 



C 96 ) 

his dejected countenance seems to s»y, ** Alas! 
shall I never have the plea^Au e cf seeing }()u 
again ?" Upon other occasions, however, my 
friend takes no iitt.e pride in displa\ ing to me 
his fancied knowledge of his favorite science; 
points out certain characters whom if I should 
ever come in contact with to avoid ; that the 
osteoloa:y of their face is evidently at^ainst 
them ; that though the lines of feature, are in 
several respects good, there are others which 
destroy the harmony of the whole: and though 
many persons might be deceived in their ap- 
pearance, yet an adept in physiognomy would 
always detect the delusion. 

From the natural flexibility of the character 
of my friend, he has a great facility in adopting 
his manner to the humor of the persons with 
whom he successively associates. In compa- 
ny with politicians, he talks of the administra- 
tion of government and the political aspect of 
the times ; relates the news whicli has late- 
ly arrived, and comments on its probable 
truth or falsehood ; draws the character of 
public men with whom he has been acquaint- 
ed, and relates anecdotes both of their publick 
and private life. In company with the Divine, 



{ 97 ) 

he talks of plans lately formed for the estab- 
lishnient of new churches, of the progress 
which Christianity is making among the peo- 
ple of different and distant parts of the earth, 
and among their neighbouring Indians; and 
is happy to hear any difficult passage of the 
bible explained, or any moral maxim con- 
firmed or illustrated by a text of scripture. 
In company widi the women, his conversation 
is marked with the same flexibility. If he 
addresses the matron he talks of the best 
method of pickling and preserving : speaks 
of new publications on the art of cookery, 
and concludes with admiring the delicate hue 
of the ladies cups and saucers. If he address- 
es the young women, he talks with equal 
focilitv of the different kinds of female dress — 
of those fashions which are declining, and 
those which are just introduced; describes 
the different parties, that he has already been 
at, and relates the adventures he met with, 
and remarks that he is happy to find that the 
good sense of the ladies has discarded the 
dissembling practice of painting and wearing* 
wigs. This trait of ray companion does noft 
proceed from duplicity, but form benevolenr ^, 



( 98 ) 

and is rendered easy from much commerce 
with the world. With all his flexibility of 
behaviour, no person is governed by a more 
rigid principle of honour, and though he endea- 
vours to conform to the character of all, he 
can never flatter or even pardon the vices of 
any. 

There is one particular in which my com- 
panion seems to depart from his general flexi- 
bility, and this is a strong partiality for all the 
peculiarities of his native country. There is 
nothinsr which can reflect honour on his own 
country, which he will not maintain to be 
superior to that of every other in the world. — 
In his comments on all that we see, he takes 
great pains to impress the same idea on my 
mind, and at an early period of our acquain- 
tance, assured me that it was absolutely neces- 
sary, to throw aside my Chinese oddities as he 
calls them, and conform to the dress, manners 
and customs of his own country. He has 
persuaded me, or rather forced me to part 
with my fine tail of hair, to have it trimmed 
after the manner of his country, and assures 
me that a little powder on certain occasions 
would not be amiss. In short he gives direc- 



( 99 ) 

lions to my barber, without in llie least 
<-onsulting me, and the fellow seems to think- 
liimseir entirely luider his controul. He 
tells me that it is absolutely necessary that I 
sbiould lay aside as much as possible my gro- 
tesque appearance, that I should otherwise be 
the object of publick gaping, and perhaps 
publick ridicule, that the boys would croud 
around me ; the women would squint at me ; 
and that my ears would constantly be assailed 
with the sound of *' the Chinese! the Chi- 
nese !" He assured me that he did not des- 
pair of making me pass in time for a tolera- 
ble American J and from his manner seem.ed 
to think that I should take it as a very great 
compliment. Vain and foolish nation ! Why 
not allow us to possess some degree of Fra- 
tional pride as well as yourselves ! Why not 
enjoy your own customs and suffer us to fol- 
low ours ? 

My companion is not satisfied with mould* 
ing my exterior into that of an American : 
his national enthusiasm has even led him to 
propose to me to become an American citizen, 
and also to throw aside my partiality for the 
philosophy of Confusius, and embrace the 



( 100 ) 

Christian religion. Indeed such was the 
frankness and warmth of his manner on this 
subject, that I could not but treat his propo- 
bition with the respect, which his good inten- 
tion demanded. On the subject of becoming 
a citizen, he assured me that there A\as no 
nation more ex e rapt frcm the political disas- 
ters of the times than his own ; no nation 
where science was of more easv access ; and 
no nation that afforded a m.ore secure assvkim 
to foreijjners, or where they met v\ ilh a more 
welcome reception. In reply I suggested 
that, ^M^esidestlie natural partiality which eve- 
3 V -;er:-iOii [eels k^\ tlic countrv which chives us 
ocjstencc— I liad friends and even relatioiis in 
Ciiina, \\\.o anxiously expected my return, and 
\Jio woiikl be eager to hear fi^om my own lips, ^ 
an account oi my many coloured adventures ; 
ili^t I only visited the United States as I had 
done many other countries, with the curiosity 
of a tra^'eller, and i.either expected nor \\ ished 
to make it my adopted country ; that the 
country in which I derived m.y birth, I \n ished 
also Jto lay my bones; and that I should re- 
joice to see once more before I died, the 
companions of the days of my youth.'' The 



( 101 ) 

natural warmth of the character of mv frienO 
here, flushed into his fuce. He averred that 
it >A^as far from his wish to attempt to Aveaken 
my resolution, and that I was bound to comply 
with it by all the ties and sympathies of hu- 
man nature. *' But believe the sincerity of 
my friendship," said he, " ^vhen I entreat 
you to embrace our holy religion, established 
bv the most undoubted miracles, and endeared 
to us by the sufferings and blood of Christ 
himself. What, though you be an inhabitant 
of a distant part of the earth ! No particular 
portion of the world is either em!)raced or ex- 
eluded in the Christian scheme of salvation^ 
and the happiness of Heaven is hung out to the 
whole hu.nan race. *' Look unto mp, and 
be saved, all ye ends of the earth, '^ is the 
promise of the creator himself. 

Remember my friend that we have not long 
to stay in this world, and when you bid m.e a 
last adieu, to depart for your native couiUry, 
how should I rejoice in the reflection, that 
we are to meet again in the mansions of the 
blest. In reply, i observed that 1 had no 
reason to be surpriseu that the Christian reli- 
gion, should be dear to his heart, since it was 

1 2 



( 102 ) 

the religion of his country, and derived from 
education and early impressions; I had no 
reason to be offended at his desire, to make 
the same impression on me, since it proceeded 
not only from his own faith, but also from 
his solicitude for my welfare, of which I had 
already had many proofs, and of which I 
should always retain a grateful impression. 
But I stated the great difficulty of suddenly 
believing a religion of which I scarcely ever 
heard the name until I left my native country. 
I suggested to him whether his own belief 
proceeded from any other cause or agency than 

ft 

education ; whether if he had been born in 
Turkey or Arabia, he would not have been a 
follower of Mahomet ; whether if he had 
been bom of Jewish parents, he would not 
have been a follower of Moses ; and whether 
if he had been born in China, he might not, 
like myself, have been a disciple of the w ise 
and virtuous Confucius. '* We ste, said I, 
that all mankind neither are, nor can be of the 
same religion ; but I conceive it of little con- 
sequence what religion we may possess ; or in 
other words, on what part of the great globe we 
happen to be bora, so as we follow that hght 



*«■•; 



( 103 ) 

of nature which God has given us, and which 

is not confined to this country, or to that, but 

is inherent in the whole human race.'' 

*' But do we not," replied my companion, 

** find this Hght of nature insufficient for the 
purpose you mention : else why are books 
written, why are penal laws enacted ? But God 
seeing the feebleness of these aids, not only in 
giving man a knowledge of his attributes and 
perfections, but also in the government of his 
moral conduct in this life, has graciously re- 
vealed iiimself in our holy religion. This is 
of more importance in reclaiming the deluded 
world, and teaching the total of what is neces- 
sary to be known, than all the aids which the 
wisdom of man has been able to devise, and 
is at the same time a sourse of perpetual con- 
solation. It supports us in adversity, and 
it checks the presumption of prosperity. It 
inspires us with joy, gratitude, and veneration 
by the display of that brilliant prospect after 
death, which, to the unfortunate being that 
has no religion, is enveloped in darkness, 
anxiety, uncertainty, and terror. You say all 
mankind neither do, nor can, believe in this 
divine religion. I admit it. Those who arc 



( 104 ) 

beyond the reach of its knowledge, do not,- 
perhaps, come under its penahies, and where 
there is no command heard there can be no 
transgression. These unfortunate nations, we 
must leave to the wisdom and goodness of 
God and it is not for us to say, in what man- 
ner he w ill dispose of them» But surel}^ those 
who hd^e an opportunity of seeing and know- 
ing the excellence of our holy religion are 
deficient in their duty to thcmsdves, if not in 
• their duty to God, if they do not avail them- 
selves of the inestimable blessing. At least 
it is the duty of all to enquire into a matter of 
such magnitude, and compared to which all 
other concerns vanish into nouidit. 

o 

^' Let me then advise 3'ou my friend, to in- 
restigate the subject, and you will be richly 
rewarded. How many hardsiiips have you 
endured, how many difficulties have you en- 
countered in wandering through so many 
CQuntiies in pursuit of knowledge, which must 
fade with this life ? and vvall you refuse to de- 
vote a small portion of your time to that which 
may secure your eternal happiness hereafter ; 
a happiness which will still be only commen- * 
cing when the earth shall fall into atoms or be 



( 105 ) 

struck fi'om the universe, and which will be 
assuming new brightness when the sun himself 



shall fiide into nought." 



Alas! cried I, von did not attend to the sub. 
stance of my first remark, your own zeal pre- 
vents you from ^veighing my argument, or 
even making allowance for the difticulties 
under which, as a foreigner, I must view the 
subject. The dispute turns upon this point, 
is the Chriitian religion the only true religion, 
or is it not ? If it is the only true religion ; if 
It is the only religion from God, why is it not 
the only prevailing religion on earth ? Why 
is it not as universal as the light of the sun, 
or the atmosphere which envelopes the earth? 
Why is the Mahometan religion more general? 
Had God ever seen proper to send a revela- 
tion on cardi, it would be deeply and equally 
important to the whole human familv, of 
which he is the common father, and he would 
not have given it to one part and withheld it 
from another. Like the people of e\'ery other 
country, it is natural, indeed, that you should 
believe your rehgion to be the only true one 
because you derived it from your parents.-* 

The impression in such cases is received 



Mlien tlie mind is susceptible and the under- 
standing feeble, but when wc arrive at years 
of discretion it is too strong to be resisted. 
We are, indeed, so confident of its truth that 
we do not advert to the necessity of inquiry ; 
and so far from exercising independent rejec- 
tion we timidly shrink from the doubts 
which may casually arise. Like children in 
the dark, we are afraid of our own ideas. — 
From the same infatuation it happens that 
when we come in contact with others, so il\r 
from being willing to receive information, we 
are partial, overbearing, and in many cases 
sanguinary and cruel. Is it not from this 
principle, that nations have been hurried into 
the horrors of war, each in support of its own 
religion ? Is it not from this principle that the 
different sects of the same religion, and the 
very religion which you profess, as they hap- 
pened to gain the ascendancy to power, con- 
signed each other to the burning flame, be- 
cause the unfortunate victims could not think 
exactly as their persecutors. 

Do not think, however, that from these re- 
marks I have any desire to weaken your faith, 
©r to cast any stigma on your religion. If, 



( 107 ) 

as you say, it is a source of consolation to 
you ; if it enlarges your knowledge of the 
divine attributes of God, if it tends to pro- 
mote the general welfare of society....! pro- 
nounce it worthy the patronage of your 
country. But the same indulgence which I 
grant to you, I expect you will grant to me. 
I have already received my ideas of God and 
futurity, w'hich are sanctioned by my reason 
and dear to my heart, and therefore I am as 
little disposed to renounce them as you are to 
renounce yours. 

I know the faith of my companion to be in- 
flexible, but such is the sympathy of his nature, 
that he now embraced me cordially and decla- 
red, that since our souls were so congenial in 
every other respect, it was impossible that we 
should ever differ on aai abstract opinion of re- 
ligion. 



( 108 > 



LETTER IX 



Science, in this country, has made rapid 
advances since the revolution. Several things 
have conspired in producing this effect. In 
the first place, that pride and elevation which 
the people felt, when they had throw n off the 
shackles of subjection, and found themselves 
independent, naturally inspired a corresponding 
action, and nothing which could promote the 
national honour, or advantage of the state was 
neglected. Many of the leading characters of 
the country, stepped forth in the cause of learn- 
ing; public bodies co-operated in the same, 
and parents smiled at the brilliant prospects of 
education held out to their children. The 
country now, had no longer the appearance of 
a discontented colony, laboring under existing 
evils and gloomy prospects, but every thing 
was calculated to inspire pride, joy and cheer- 
fulness. Whether they turned tluir eye to 



( 109 ) 

their own country, or to the countries of Ku- 
rope ; whether to the present, past or future, 
they had equal reason to appreciate their situa- 
tion, and return thanks to providence. The 
troubles of war being over, their energies 
were now excited in promoting the arts of 
peace, and to use the expression of their sa- 
cied volume, '* the swords were beat into 
plough shares, and the spears into pruning 
hooks." The glorious commander in chief, 
destined by Heaven for the purposes he at- 
chieved, who, in the arduous cause was sur- 
rounded with so many difficulties, but never 
despaired, who received so many honours 
from the hands of his country, but never was 
intoxicated, cheerfully gave up the pomp of 
command for the fond endearments of domes- 
tick life, and the useful and innocent pursuits 
of agriculture. He saw with pleasure the 
brilliant piospect which now opened to 
view. 

Savage nations have an obstinate attach- 
ment to their okl customs, and an invincible 
repugnance to civiiization ; they cannot ap- 
preciate the vahie of that, the blessings of 
which they have never tasted, and hence they 



K 



( HO ) 

generally must be conquered before they can 
be civilized. But the Americans at this pe- 
riod enjoyed a sufficient share of civilization 
to make them struggle for more. Here a 
spot is chosen for the metropolis of the union, 
ornamented with public buildings, equally 
spacious and magnificent. There a body of 
republican sages held' their luminous discus- 
sions, for the formation of a general constitii* 
tion, which would harmonize the interests of 
the different parts of the state into one perfect 
system : which would hold out the terrors of 
punishment to the ambitious and corrupt, and 
watch over the happiness of successive gene- 
rauons. Publick buildings every where arose 
from the earth; those dedicated to the cause 
of science, those to the cause of religion, and 
those to the cause of humanity. 

And here I cannot but suspend my rpunarks 
for a moment, while I express the deep vene- 
ration which I feel for the character of that 
chiefs ho perfoimed so distinguished a pnrt in 
the revolutionary war, as well as the politi- 
cal cperalions which afterwards took ph:ce : I 
mean George Washington, whr^se vigilance 
biezed every favorable opportunity for attack. 



( 111 ) 

while his prudence avoided every disadvanta- 
, geous rencouiitre : who preserved his army 
when he could not conquer, and kept them 
together, amidst all their discontent and all 
their sufferings. Had the Americans been 
Ipss cautious, or the British more daring, the 
cause of America must inevitably have fallen. 
How numerous were the virtues of this extra- 
ordinary man, and how few his failings I What 
dignity, and yet what modesty ! What fervent 
love of country, and Vvhat incorruptible inte- 
grity. How far was he elevated above the in- 
fluence of prosperity or adversity ! How fond 
of virtuous retirement, and how insensible to 
the empty pomp of office : yet for the sake of 
his country he readily gives up the pleasure of 
the one, to encounter the cares and difficulties 
of the other. He could not be said to live for 
himself, for his whole life was devoted to pub- 
lick cares, while the natural propensity of his 
heart sighed for retirement ; yet his reward in 
the next world is infinitely beyond what this 
could have bestowed. It was not until his 
country could hear the plaintive plea of decli- 
ning years, that they would suffer him to re- 
main in retirement. It is true, that fickle- 



( 112 ) 

ness, natural to the people, sometimes impair- 
ed, or suspended the confidence he always 
merited ; yet in his farewell address, he pi e- 
sents the gratitude of his heart for the uniform 
support he had always met with-. The most 
prominent traits of his publick character was a 
i^cctitude of understanding, which no art of 
sophistry could either" baffle or mislead, and an 
inflexible principle of honour which neither 
the extravagance of publick favour, nor of 
publick clamours could divert from its pur- 
pose. 

But to return to the present state of learning 
in this country, another support which it has 
received since the revolution, and which has 
been anticipated from what I have stated, is 
the influx of learned foreigners. It is true, 
the characters who emigrated to this country 
were of various descriptions, and came from 
various motives. Some came over because 
they were surrounded with poverty at home, 
and thev were told this was a country where 
every thing was to be enjoyed and nothing to 
be suffered. Some came over because they 
were oppressed at home, and they were told 
this was "an assyium for the oppressed of 



( 113 ) 

every nation." Some came over because 
they wanted to see a country where such an 
astonishing revokition had taken place, and 
where every body had a right to think and 
speak as they pleased. A few real repubU- 
cans came over, because they preferred hving 
under a government which was congenial to 
their principles. Many came over because 
their trade or profession was overstocked in 
their own countr}^, while they were told that 
here employ nieiit was ample, and prices 
high. Of these, many wIkjsc talents in their 
OAvn country, were below mediocrity, or per- 
haps held in contempt, came over, and by as- 
suming the importance of an European, pub- 
lishing pompous advertisements, and telling 
marvellous tales, imagined they could easily 
impose on the credulity of the nation, and ele- 
vate themselves to honour and profit. Some 
perhaps came over who thought they weie 
doing well in their ovvncountiy, but imagined 
they could do better here. But amidst this 
diversity of characters, the United States no. 
doubt obtained many learned and worthy.men. 
?viany of the teachers both in the city and die 
village, both in pubiick colleges and couiitry 



V 



( 114 ) 

schools are foreigners. Such has been the 
mediocrity of learning in this country, that 
the higher branches of it have been almost 
exclusively confined to foreigners, though this 
distinction is not so perceptible now as former- 
ly. The people, before the revolution had 
much of that torpid ignorance which belongs 
to the savage state, and were more devoted to 
the pursuits of gain than to the pursuits of 
literature. Parents, such as had a wish to 
have their children well educated, very fre- 
quently after they had acquired the rudiments, 
sent them to Europe, not only to obtain their 
professional degrees in law and phy sick, but 
also to acquire the common attainments of an 
accomplished education. The latter practice 
is now totally abolished, and the former, 
thdugli sometimes adopted, is, perhaps, never 
neccssar\^ 

Though the arts and eiciences have made 
rapid advances since the revolution, it does not 
appear to have produced a corresponding ef- 
fect, and great men appear to be even more 
rare now than formerly. The revolutionary 
war produced a Washington, and self energy 
and self application produced a Franklin and a 



^- 



( 115 ) 

Rittenhouse ; but what has the advance of 
science done for the honour of the present day, 
or where are the luminaries of the age to be 
found ? I have been much at a loss to give a 
solution of this matter. Is it owing to a de- 
ficiency of genius in the present age ? I am 
persuaded this idea is inconsistent with the 
established laws of nature. Is it because the 
ambition of the people is altogether directed 
to publick offices, while the prospect of lite- 
rary fame is neither so sure nor so inviting ? 
This is a point which demands at least some 
attention, if not some illustration. 

The peculiar government of this country is 
perhaps more calculated to excite the ambition 
of the people generally for publick places than 
any otlier in the world. Most of these are. at 
the disposal of the people; the elections are held 
at stated periods and cannot fail to excite the 
interest and attract the attention of all. The 
zeal of the people, and the ambition of the 
candidates are equally great. The former 
conceive the issue is connected with their 
dearest rights and interests ; to the latter there 
is something irresistably captivating in the 
triumph of election and the pomp of office. 






( 116 ) 

When, on the other hand, I look to the reward 
of literary pursuits in this country, I fiiid it to ' 
be such as to suppress rather than to encou- 
rage. It is truly cimusing to listen to the 
pompous boast of these people, respecting 
their " superior iiluniination,'* when, in the 
most slavish manner, they look up to England 
for every production, both of amusement and 
instruction, and seem to think it impossible 
that an American can write a book. They 
are freed from the poliiical dominion of Bri- 
tain, but in respect of literature they are still 
only her satellite and thence receive all their 
brightness. If -an European production is 
issued from the press, that is sufficient to re- 
commend it ; if an Aniei ican, that is sufficient 
to damn it. The booksellers will not pur- 
chase it.... the people will not read it. No 
matter what may be the real genius of the un- 
known author.... no matter what may have 
been the glowing rapture which the flight of 
his ideas inspired, or the brilliant prospect of 
success which then arose to his deluded fancy. 
When he looks around for publication, he 
meets with nothing but gloomy looks and eva- 
sive insinuations. The son of genius and 




( 117 ) 

misfortune finds that he has not only been 
spending his time in vain, butactuaily involv- 
ing himself in real difficulties, Gladiy would 
he console himself in his known superiority 
and look down with contempt on the contract- 
ed and illiberal world ; but it will not do.... he 
feels a sorrow at heart which is unknown to 
the labourer of the mine and the pit. Throw- 
ing aside all prospect of interest, even the 
craving expectations of his heart are not satis- 
fied, and he hears not one approvin.s: expres- 
sion.... perhaps not an abstract opinion of the 
merit of a book, which yet the divine rap- 
ture with which it was written, assures him 
with more certainty than could all the acclama- 
tions of the world, that it w^ill descend to un- 
born generauons and be read wiih , pleasure 
when himself and his judges shall be no more. 
When such is the disposition of this peo- 
ple towards their own authors ; oh thou en- 
lightened patron of all that bears the marks of 
genius, thou instructor, friend and guardian of 
my youth.... what right have they to suppose 
their country will ever be the nursery of great 
men ? What right have they to suppose that 
the man of genius, any more than the fool^ 



( 118 ) 

will devote a large portion of his time to the 
complicated and ahnostyendless pursuits of 
learning Vvithout the feeblest hope of advan. 
tage ; that he will consume the midnight oil 
and bear the paleness of study, v\ hen the pros- 
pect of publication can be compared to nothing | 
but the meteor \^hich holds for a while its 
sparkling coiu^sc, attracts the attention of a few r 
and is soon extinguished in darkness and for- 
gotten fore^'er. 



( 119 ) 



LETTER X. 



I STATED in my last letter, O thou light of 
wisdom ! that science had made rapid advan- 
ces in this country since the revolution. This 
is a position, however, that admits of many- 
exceptions, and in a country so extensive, a 
skilful observer may trace almost every pro- 
gressive shade from a state of barbarity to the 
highest state of civilizuion. The geography 
of the country does not exhibit Jj greater 
^'a^iety than does the state of its manners. — 
When I Jof'k at its map, I here behold popu- 
lous and elegant cities ; there I behold wild 
and trackless forests, inhabited by nothing but 
howiing beasts of prey ; here are smiling 
vallies ; there are barren mountains : in some 
places agriculture is advanced to the highest 
improvement, and every spot yields a rich crop 
....in others the fields are barren, the domes- 
tick ainnials poor and spiritless, and the grow- 



( 120 ) 

ing aiticles yellow, withered, and declining. 
No less diversified is the state of civilization. 
Here the people are illuminated with science; 
there they are immersed in clouds of igno- 
rance ; here are to be seen all the elegance,- 
the bombast, and the foppery of the fashionable 
world ; there all the plainness, the ruggedness, 
and the simplicity of a state removed hut a 
few degrees above barbarity. This is a matter 
^vhich travellers cannot attend to in its full 
latitude, aiKl which they do not attend to as 
much as they ought.. ..they cannot draw the 
perspective of the manners of a country.... they 
can seldom travel through the different parts of 
it. ...and even then it is extremely difficult to 
ascertain where these shades either begin or 
end, and to deiiniate them without exaggera- 
tion. Great allowance should be made for these 
difficulties ; but after all due allowance is made 
travellers are often presumptuous and errone- 
ous. How absurd is it to expect by residing 
a short time in the met, opolis of a country to 
be able to give a full account of the manners 
of the country itself .^ How often is an acci- 
dental occurrence taken for an established 
custom, and a local custom for a general one? 



C i2i ) 

Kow often does the traveller sufier his Q^vtl 
temper, or the incidents he may have met 
with, to give an exaggeration to the picture 
which bears no resemblance to the original. 
How often does he brand this country as bar- 
barons, and applaud that as civiUzed, when the 
difFerent parts of each differ as much from one 
iMiother as do the countries themselves, and 
when a skilful observer could trace in each 
almost every shade from barbarity to civiliza- 
tion. 

It is remarkable that the natives of every 
country are themselves constantly making this 
blunder. It is a common thing among the 
people here to allot diiferent customs to each 
state, without considering whether they be 
original or adopted, or ,^^ hether they belong 
most to that state or to the state adjoining. It 
is a conmion thing to say, "I know a northern 
man or a Yankee, a Pennsvlvanian or a Vu'- 
glnian, by his appearance," but nature every 
where opperates in such variety, and produces 
characters of such opposite extremes that the 
expression is absurd. The laws of each state 
are indeed distinct, and their opperation pre- 

L 



i. 122 ) ; 

scribed within geographical boundaries, hut 
in no other respect is the maxim true. 

But to return to the general state of litera- 
ture. You will not expect that I shall be able 
io delineate to you, with geographical preci- 
sion, the state of learning in every part of this 
extensive continent. The difficulties as already 
stated, are insurmountable ; and if they could 
be overcome the advantage would not compen- 
sate for the trouble. This field I leave for 
more daring adventurers. I shall follow the 
example of the geographer who, in dra\\ ing 
the map of a country not fully explored, gives 
the real delineation of the part \^ hich is known 
and leaves the rest blank, with the word 
doubtful thereon. By this means I shall copy 
nature and not disfigure her ; and if 1 shall not 
deserve the praise of industry, I shall, at least, 
avoid the censure of presumption. 

The unequal state of learning in dlfierent 
parts of the Union may be traced among 
the members sent from the difierent districts, 
and assembled together in congress. A ou 
would suppose that each district \ACuld at 
least be capable of sending one man of talents 
sufficient to represent it ; but this is not the 



( 123 ) 

case. The coastitutioaal view of the meet- 
ing cf this body is iiicked to represent the in- 
terest of the respective districts, but though 
there have always been many members in it of 
respectable taients, there are alw y-. many whose 
aukward conduct and rugged appearance, 
shew them better calculated to represent the 
ignorance than defend the interest or support 
the di.^-nitv of their districts. Whether it bb 
that such parts of the couiitry have no men 
of talents, or whether the j)eople are them- 
selves so ignorant that they cannot distinguish 
them, I know not. For such people to ap- 
preciate the value of men of genius is periiaps 
as much above their comprehension as to as- 
certain the orbit of a comet. They look upon 
them as beings of ai; other order, around whom 
there is an atmosphere of repulsion which 
they cannot approach. They can feel no 
more sympathy for them than they could for 
the inhabitants of another planet. How then 
can they be supposed to represent their inter- 
ests? But the candidate who can drink the 
honest farmer's grog, and enter into his rustick 
stile of conversation, who will listen to his 
•story of the boggs he has lately cleared up; 



( J24 ; 

efthe remedies which he has lately ibundoii 
for the diseases of his horses and catllc; of llic 
number of pigs which his sow had at a litter ; 
of tliC siibiection under which he has broiJJ?:hl 
liis servants; of the work which he has some- 
times had dore in a day; of the schemes 
which he and neiy:hbour Simon have concerted 
for tl-;eir mutual beneiit: the candidate who 
can listen to tiiis, and talk in a corresponding 
.•;train ; this, this is the accomplished fellowi 
the model of perfection, both ^\■orth3' and cap- 
able of representing^ Inm in congress. 

In my excursions throiiQ-h some of the 
fiontier parts of the countr\' I was struck 
Vy-ith the extreme ignorance of the people. 
Here no colle^^es. no nubliclv libraries, no aca- 
den.-iies are to be found, ar;y more than they 
are to b-c met v.ith nmo]Uj:the barbarian hordes 
■of Africa, or the ^vildest woods of Loui-^ianna. 
Tlie library generally consists of a bible, a tes- 
larnent, and sometimes a dictionary and a few 
old English publications, generally on religious 
subjects: vrhilsttothe children belong a read- 
ing book, in ^\hich they stammer over their 
lessons, a spelling book, and sometimes a 
grammar. If at aiiy house I accidentally met 



( 125 ) 

with a larger collection they generally laid in 
a solitary corner, and from their mouldering 
and dusty appearance sufficiently proclaimed 
that t'he torpid mind of their possessor was di- 
rected to other concerns, and that they were 
seldom touched. The school houses to 
be metwidi, are a kind of little log cabins 
covered with boards and plastered with clay, 
but hardly sufficient to keep out the over-- 
whelmi'^o; torrent, or the piercing wind. Some- 
tinaes they stand on the sides of the road, some- 
times in an old field, and sometimes in the 
woods, with little paths leading to it. Here 
the bovs make the fire in rotation, while the 
master gives directions how to put on the logs, 
and teaches reading, \vriting, cyphering, and 
sometimes a smattering in grammar, but as 
to geography, or the common practical branch- 
es of madiematicks, they are as much above 
his comprehension as it would be to measure 
the distance of the planet Herskell. Is this sa- 
tire? ah no! I too well recollect the melancholy 
feelings wiih which 1 viev/ed those poor lit- 
tle children trudging through the muv^ die 

snow, and the ice, for sue .a scanty and miser- 

L 2 



jT-- 



, ( 126 ) 

able prospect of education, to feel any thing 
but simpathy in the description. 

It is not uncommon in these parts to meet 
tvith men who own tracts of land, of which 
they hardly know the extent, who cannot write 
their names. Many who in the early part of 
life learned the common rudiments of educa- 
tion, have so little occasion for them in the 
dark state of society in which they live, or are 
so wholly devoted to rugged pursuits or hard 
labour, that they have either totally forgot 
them, or retain- but a very scanty remnant. 
Many who should attempt to write a letter, or 
even a short note, would do it in such a blun- 
dering manner, both in hand writing and ortho- 
graphy, that a school boy who should see it, 
would laugh in proud superiority. Tlieir 
dress is of the coarsest homespun ; and their 
manners still coarser. Their hospitality (and 
happy 1 am to say so, for it reflects honour on 
the natural character of man) is always con- 
spicuous, and their accommodations, though 
of the coarsest sort, is ever granted with a 
hearty welcome. But as to conversation,^ the 
principal that a traveller from, an improved part 
of the country can expect to derive, is some 



( 127 ) 

direction about the roads ; the course which 
he is to pursue, and the distance to certain 
places. When from any expression that fell 
from me, they understood I had come from 
near the Metropolis ; they enquired with 
wild eager looks, what was the news; whe- 
ther Britain was going to do them justice, or 
whether they should have to shoulder their 
muskets ; whether the embargo on the ves- 
sels was to be kept on or taken off. I always 
endeavoured to statisfy their enquiries as well 
as I could, adapted to their comprehension. 
They are by no means unsociable, particularly 
to strangers, and never declined talking on 
subjects within their comprehension, or on 
which they could give me any information ; 
and I confess I often listened with more heart 
felt pleasure to their honest rustic strain, than 
I derived from all the bombast and artifice of 
civilized life. They could give me some 
account of the desert vvoods> by which we 
were surrounded; of the game which they had, 
and of the number of wild turkeys which they 
sometimes killed in a day, of the kind of pro- 
duce which they were accustomed to cultivate, 
of the bushels of wheat or barrels of corn 



( 128 ) 

.. which thev raised from an acre ; of the frost 
which sometimes desiroytd their fruit ; of the 
drou2;hts \vhich sometimes withered their 
corn and wheat, or the torrents which some- 
times overvvhehncd it ; of the number of cattle 
whiic:h this neighbour lost from a hard spell 
of weatlier; or of the unsuccessful attempt of 
another to bring water to a mill which he 
hoped to establish. Such in general was the 
extent of their know ledge. Their sons work 
in the field; their daughters wash, cook, and 
do most of the house work. You will think 
this hard treatment for females ; but from 
tlieir robust appearance they are fully able to 
bear it. The country generally is not desti- 
tute of Kuropean gallantly, but you must re- 
collect the parts of it of which i am speaking. 
Those poor girls would feel as much at a loss 
in a ball, a draw ing school, or the common 
societv of the Metn polis, as an Indian would, 
placed on a throne in Europe. From my 
conversation with the inhabitants of the cities, 
after mv return from these w ild excursions, I 
found they w^ere as ignorant of the state of so- 
ciety m these parts, as the) could be of the 
people in the islands of the wide unexplored 



^^;jific Ov-. u;.. In <nan\ of tiie exireiiic i'van- 
tier parts, the inhabitants partake very mucli 
of the manners Ox^ their nebhbouri no: Indians, 
rrrid live -.hnoiila^ n..;ch by hunting as by ag- 
gricultiire Some have even been so much 
charmed, ^-^ ith llie wild woods and roving 
life of their neighboirrs, that they give up the 
society of their own colour to live with the 
r^d men . 

if rot: should be incHned to ask to what 
particular portion of the country the prece- 
ding picture is appU cable, I can only answer to 
no one portion in particular, but to parts scat- 
tered throughout the union ; that the more 
you advance from the old settled parts of the 
country, the more it is applicable ; that it is 
more applicable to the southern or western 
states, than to the northern or Astern; more 
applicable to parts' of the country remote from 
cities and commercg, than those adjacent to 
the Atlantic, the Chesapeake, and the princi- 
pal navigable rivers: More applicable to the 
Dutch settlements than to the American ; that 
it is not only applicable to parts of the country 
taken in a mass, but to partS of several of the 
principal states, and to Virginia, Pennsylva- 
nia, and New York, as well as the Indiana 



( 130 ) 

and Mississippi territories^ that as the picture 
was more particularly suggested by what I 
saw in my excursion through the wild parts of 
the country, so it is more particulariy applica- 
ble to these in its full extent, and should not 
give rise to an ir.jurioiis refiCCtion on tlie 
country general!}', and finally that it is impos- 
sible to give any precise gecigraphical infor- 
mation, farther than what these general re- 
marks may be calculated to conve}'. 

To return to my excursions. My mind 
was not more pleased and exercised in con- 
templating the manners of the people, than my 
senses were struck with the Vv ild and diversi. 
fied scenes of nature in which I constantly 
found myself. Ragged rocks, awful cliffs, 
towering trees and impetuous torrents, were 
constantly before my view but ever combined 
and thrown together in such new and whimsi- 
cal shapes as to afford uneloyed delight ; and 
sometimes burst upon me in such awful sub- 
limity as to swell my bosom in adoringrapture 
of the divine creator. Game of all kinds was 
to be seen in vast abundance. The immense 
flocks of wild turkeys covered the ground, or 
broke down the bending limbs of the trees on 



( 131 ) 

which they were croudecl. Flocks of wild 
pigeons came over me in such clouds as almost 
to obscure the light of heaven, and my horse 
would sometimes start and tremble at the 
darkening shadow which they cast on the 
earth. The foxes sprung across the road 
before me ; the squirrels played upon the 
limbs of the trees, constantly throwing down 
the shells of nuts and acorns they consumed ; 
the wolves howled at a distance. The pleasure 
which I felt, and the degree in which my cu- 
riosity was stimulated often led me to ramble 
from the road. The wild and rugged scenes 
in which I sometimes found myself in thes^ 
excursions, inspired feelings which induced 
me to think that a human fjot could never here 
liLive pressed the earth, nor a human voice have 
trembled in the air. In other places the scenes 
\'v ere a#p{easljig as thobc were awful, and the 
beautiful shrubs, the gay, romemtick, and 
variegated fiOvvers, surpassed any thing that I 
had ever seen ia the gardens of Europe. 

In some parts of my journey I found myself 
elevated on the top of a stupendous mountain 
and looked do^vn and saw the world beneath 
me. The absent is in some places so gradual 



^. > ^ ,^ 



as to be liardiy perceived, in others cc f^ttc^ 
as hardly to be surmounted, and in lookinf? 
down over the rocks and precipices you can 
hardly bear th€ dizziness which comes over 
you. Here the thick clouds, ready to burst 
with rain, often passed but a little distance 
above my head.... at another time I could see 
them gathering' in blackness below me, and 
pouring down in torrents, while above the 
sun appears in all his majesty, every object is 
gilded with his rays, and the sky presents one 
unspotted azure. Here I would sometimes 
endeavour to trace the diversified objects ; the 
hills, the rocks, the vales, the woods that was 
spread out in boundless view below, until every 
shade \^as involved in the thick mist \\hich 
seemed to enshioud thtm. It is impossible for 
me to express the divine rapture which swelled 
in my bosom in vie\\irgthis grand andcR'versi- 
fied scene. I felt as if 1 could spend uncloy- 
ed the days of eternity in the contemiplation. 
I scarcely felt as if I was any longer en this 
earth; as if i belonged to the pur.y race of men 
<ir was under the ir.fiuence of die Q-rovelins: 
tics which bind them to the earth. Ah! what 
Leiiig of scubiLlIi'y can view those glciious 



( 133 ) 

©bjects, and shall daie to say there is no God? 
No, never will I plunge into the clouds of me- 
taphibical absurdit) , never will I search for ar- 
guments to convince me there is a God, when 
such irresistable impressive proofs are every 
where before my eyes. These! these speak 
alike to my feelings and my reason. Weak, 
presumptuous man, is it in thy power to over- 
throw these proofs ? Oh no ' No more than 
it is in the power of the mole to undermine 
the foundation or overthrow the structure of a 
temple. ^ 

In other places I found myself enclosed in 
long and deep vallies where the awful heights 
which surrounded me almost obscured the 
light of day. Here towering trees of every 
description grow in crouds, and spreading out 
in their wild and natural magnificence, their 
limbs a^ so thicklv entwined as almost tode- 
fy the ap roach of light, and in the midst of 
day to enshroud the darkness of night. The 
a\\ ful ciifis looked down upon me and seemed 
to threaten to crush me to pieces. The craggy 
rocks rose one above another, and huns: over 
the dreadful preci;.ice. Here in. mrnse trees 
have been torn up by die rcotp, and falling 



M 



( 134 ) 

spread devastation ^amoiig others, plough up the 
ground and are dashed into a thousand pieces. 
In ascending these vales I almost felt as if I 
was immerging from the centre of the earth, 
and my eyes could scarcely bear the dazzle- 
ing light of the sun. I enjoyed with new life 
the pure air and vivid appearance of every 
thins: around me. 

Very often at the approach of eve I would 
involuntarily stop my horse to enjoy the mel- 
ancholy grandeur of the scene, and the assoti- 
ating ide|ts which it inspired. Here while I 
distinguished through the darkness, the con- 
fused shades of the woods, the towering pop- 
lar, and the majestick oak ; here while 1 listen- 
ed to the barking of the fox, and the hoveling 
of the wolves ; 1 could not but reflect on the 
singularity of my situation. I had visited 
every populous city in Europe ; I had .seen all 
the elegance of civilized life, and now I was 
far from the haunts of man, and surrounded 
by nothirg but howling beasts of prey. I had 
always enjoyed the society and conversation 
of friends and now I was surrounded with 
nothins: but solitude, darkness, and silence. 
I was a native of China, whose inhabitants 



( 135 ) 

scarcely ever set foot beyond their ou n terri- 
tory, and here I was buried in the wild woods 
of America. How little did my friends in 
China at this time know my situation ? How 
Htile could they suppose that my resdess cu- 
riosity would ever have led me so far. These 
excursions in mai^y parts ^^ere attended with 
eminent danger. How did I know but I 
might every moment be the victim of the de- 
vouring pannier, concealed among winding 
limbs and shrouded in die gloom of night ? 
How did I know but I might every moment 
hear the dreadful yells of the scalping Indians, 
rushino' towards me while I should have nodi- 

KJ 

ing to do but to yield myself a victim to their 
ferocity ? How did I know but I might every 
moment see the dis2:uised white robber ad- 
vancing from the side of the road and present- 
ing a.loaded pistol, or blunderbuss to my 
breast; for 1 had heard of such horrid murders 
in the course of my rambles, as was not a lit- 
tle calculated to work in the imagination, par* 
ticularly when surrounded by every thing that 
could depress the mind with gloom a^d terror* 
These considerations inclined me to check 
my rashnes, to procure a guide wherever 1 



( ir-e ) 

could, to travel as little after dark as possible, 
and to keep myself always armed. But it is 
to the overruling God to whom I am to look 
up for the safety Vvhich has always marked 
my steps : to him I have always been ac- 
customed to resign myself in prostrate hum- 
ble adoration. It was he \\hose mercy 
guarded me in every part of this gloomy and 
perilous excursion. ...it is he who has always 
protected me when I could have expected 
protection from no other source ; who has 
conducted me back once more to a land of 
safet}' ; arid where, at my ease, I can describe 
my adventures, and pour out my feelings in 
the bosom of my friend. Adieu.- 



( 137 ) 



LETTER XI. 



Tpiis country, since the revolution, has 
been blest with almost uninterftipted peace and 
prosperity. Separated from Europe by avast 
ocean ; surrounded with no neighbouring pow- 
er from vvhich she has any thing to fear; and 
acting Vv'ith equal justice towards all nations, 
the strong and tiie weak ; she has wholly escape 
ed from the convulsions of Europe. Her po- 
litical maxims are to observe a strict neutrali- 
t}^ towards the belligerent powers of Europe ; 
tadefeiul her own rights, but never to invade 
those of another ; to rely on her militia for 
defence, and not on standing armies or ex- 
[icnsive navies in time of geace, uhich so flir 
from aiFording protection, she looks upon us 
•as the very means oP^ubverting her liberty ; 
and to decline all ambitious temptations of go-, 
ing to war for conquest or for gain. The peo- 
ple have sometimes been hasty and cla- 

M 2 * 



( 138 ) 

morous ; but the national councils have gene- 
rally been governed by honour, integrity and 
moderation. While Europe has been pur- 
suing, through the endless vicissitudes and 
miseries of war, the empty shadow of mi- 
litary glory, this country has been engaged 
with vigor and success in the arts of peace, 
and particularly agriculture and commerce. 
The extent of its territory in proportion to 
the population is immense; and land may be 
purchased extremely cheap. Farming is 
carried on in an extensive, but not a very 
skillful plan, and the fields yield an abundant 
crop, though they exhibit nothing of the 
beauty of those of China. The com- 
merce of the people embraces almost every 
part of the known world, and the produc- 
tions of every kind are emptied at their feet. 
New towns are daily founded, and the old 
ones rapidly increasing. The clas^ of mer- 
chants, both exporting and importing, have 
continually increased, and they not only live 
independent, but many of them have accumu- 
lated vast fortunes. The commercial ship- 
ping has increased in an equal degree, and the 
flag of the United States flutters in the most 



< 139 ) 

distant port. Former channels of trade arc 
pursued on a more extensive plan, and new 
ones are struck out which were formerly 
unknown. 

Such has been the prospering state of this 
country. Her trade has at times met with 
partial invasion, or transient incovenience; 
but never with any general interruption, or 
fatal difficulty. She has had some misunder- 
standing with both France and England, and 
some hostility with the piratical powers of 
Barbary. In the former cases, though they 
raised the usual clamour of the people, the 
difficulty was but partially felt and speedily 
adjusted. In the latter case, a war could 
neither exhaust the treasures of the nation, 
nor materially affect its interests. The Ame- 
ricans who were engaged in these expeditions 
had not so much to fear from the bravery as 
the cruelty of their barbarian enemies ; nor so 
much to fear from the danger of battle as of 
becoming prisoners, whom the latter treated 
only as their barbarity should dictate or their 
interest require. The superior advantage of 
the Americans, however, in arms and ship, 
ping, and the superior bravery and discipline 



( 140 ) 

of attack, soon frightened their enemies into 
terms of peace. 

Bui clouds of difficulty seem of late to have 
taken piace c>f the sunshine of prosperity.— 
The country is held in a state of suspence be- 
tween war and peace, and the people affirm 
they endure all the difficulties of the former, 
and none of the blessings of the latter. These 
difficnlties have continually increased to the 
period at which I am writing, nor do I see 
any prospect of their speedy termination. The 
vessels which were formerly seen scattered 
over the ocean, or unloading their cargo in 
distant ports, now^ lie embargoed in the docks, 
useless, and many of them consuming ^vith 
worms. The merchants who were formerly 
engaged in loading and unloading the cargoes 
of their vessels, and in the various branches 
of purchase and sale, now see their business 
at a stand, and are held in perplexing sus| ence. 
The farmer, v.ho formerly got a ready and 
advantageous piice for.liis produce, now sees 
it livya-ed in his barns, or is compelled to sell 
it at a reduced price. The sailors, whose 
element is vrater, and who were formerly em- 
ployed in the trade which was carried oh to 



( 141 ) 

every' part of ihe world, are now seen wander- 
ing- about the streets, in want of bread and 
cloathing ; or are compelled to fly to some 
other country for employment. Of the differ, 
ent classes of men who were formerly engaged 
in business depending on commerce, many 
are thrown out of employment, the business 
of all diminished, and some at a loss what 
course to pursue to gain a subsistence. A 
thousand false reports of a favourable change of 
affairs is successively in circulation, and sue 
cessively contradicted. 

Thou, my friend, wlio livest in a country- 
secure from the convulsions of the rest of the 
world, with which it could hold no intercourse 
without being involved in the same; a country 
which, depending on its own resources, main- 
tains a greater population than what is to be 
found in any other part of the w^orld....a coun- 
try which, cultivating the substantial produc- 
tions of the earth, refuses to dig for or coin 
those metals which so much attract the atten- 
tion of the rest of the w^orld, and is the source 
of so ^ttiany evils ; thou who livest in this 
happy land to which I now long to retunij, 



( 142 ) 

will be at a loss to account for this gloomy 
chans^e in the aiTairs of the United States. 

France and England cany on a war of ex- 
teimination, uhich will, no doubt, continue 
till one or the other shall be subjected oi 
annihiliated....at no former period did it ever 
assume so savage an aspect as at this time.... 
each have issued a law authorizing the capture 
and condemnation.of ail vessels trading to the 
^orts of the other and its dcpendancies. The 
congress of the United States was at this time 
in session, and though an official account of 
these laws had not yet arri\ ed, they had suf- 
ficient reason to believe that such were in 
contemplation and probably already issued. 
The measure which they preferred to adopt 
was an embargo. They wisely determined 
to reject that trade altogether which could not 
be maintained on honourable term.s, and to 
preserve the produce of their country at home, 
though it should be lessened in ^ alue, rather 
than it should fl\ll into the hands of their 
enemies. 

But thousch this was a measure which the 
crisis required, it was not difficult to foresee 
that it would, in no long time, produce consl- 



C 143 ) 

derable inconvenience. Commerce was noi 
an incidental, but a principal and fundamental 
pursuit of the nation, with ^^•hich all others 
were essentially connected, and a blow given 
to the first must materially affect the rest and 
occasion a general embarrassment to the peo- 
ple. Of those articles which had been ex- 
ported there must be a superfluity ; and of 
those which had been imported, there must 
be a want. Persons must be thrown out of 
employment in one trade or business w^ho 
have neither the skill nor the inclination to 
pursue any other ; and others must be wanting 
in a different business who are not to be found. 
Some branches of trade must be curtailed 
and others enlarged ; some abolished and others 
introduced. To harmonize the diiierent pai ts 
of the complicated maciiine requires time. 
Labour and skill are in the mean time lost, 
and labour and skill is the wealth of a nation. 
The e British and French decrees have 
proved the greatest diuiculties to a friendly 
adjustment between those countries and the 
United States. Pre\'ious to the adoption of 
these measures this country and France ^\ere 
on friendly terms; but there e:\isted other 



( 144 ) 

differences between the United States and Bri- 
tain, which had created much discussion with- 
out producing any satisfactory arrangement. 
Britain, who seems to pride herself on the 
strength of her navy, claims the right of 
searching for her sailors on board the mer- 
chant vessels of other nations, and of taking 
them by force wherever they are to be found. 
The U. States is the only country wdth whom 
there can arise any difficulty in recognizing her 
sailors, as the same language is common to 
both countries.... with all others the difference 
of lans-uage is a sufficient mark of distinction. 
The United States claims only her citizens, 
and Britain only her subjects, but owing to 
the circumstance just mentioned, ill placed 
protection will often be extended by the for- 
mcr, a ul tyrannick seizures exercised by the 
latter. 

While Britain exercises this i ight herself, 
she is willing to allow the same to America, 
but this is nu concession on the part of the 
former, and rio object on tl:e part of the latter. 
lia- priviicdge of searcliing for deserters is 
oni . iitta<.lied to the navy and not to the mer- 
cantile service. The American navv is 



(143 ) 

small.... there are always to be had plenty of 
hands to man it, and there are few desertions. 
The officers of the immense British navy, on 
the contrary, have an opportunity of exercising 
and abusing this priviledge on board of every 
American vessel they met. It is on board the 
British navy that America has most reason to 
search for her seamen, where they are compell- 
ed, by stripes, to fight against a country with 
whom they are at peace; but the right of 
searching an armed vessel of another nation, 
it seems, is contrary to law and custom. 

It is worthy of notice to observe the diiFer- 
ent views with which these countries claim 
their own sailors. Britain claims hers as 
slaves who arelDound to fight for her honour 
and interest.... the United States claim theirs 
as citizens whose liberty they are bound to 
protect. The one insists on the duty which 
their sailors owe to them. ...the other insist on 
the duty which they owe their sailors. 

Another material point of dispute between 
the United States and Britain is what is called 
the carrying trade. France has several islands 
in the West Indies, with whom, in time of 
peace she has a regular intercourse, but in the 

N 



( 146 ) 

present ^^ ar, this trade has been cut off by the 
superior navy of Britain.... it ha:^ been carried 
on through the ports of the United States and 
in American vessels.... this point Britain dis- 
putes. 

There is another matter which has occa- 
sioned great irritation and clamour. I before 
remarked that neither Britain nor America 
claimed a' right of searching for their seamen 
on board of an armed vessel of the odier.,.. 
this, however, was, in one instance exercised 
by Britain, An American frigate that had 
been fitted out for a distant expedition Mas, 
at a short distance from the shores of the 
United States, attacked by an armed vessel of 
his Britannick majesty, some of htr men 
killed, the frigate greatly damaged and several 
of the crew^ taken from on board. 'This news 
spread through the country in an instant, and 
excited one sentiment of rage..., in every town 
the people were imm.ediately formed and or- 
ganized into volunteer com.panies.... the presi- 
dent issued a proclamation excludii^g all Bri- 
tish armed vesse's from the waters widiin the 
jurisdiction of the United States, and inter- 
dicting all supply of provisions.... Congress 



C 147 ) 

was convened by a special call.. ..instructions 
were sent on to the American ministers in 
London to require a reparation for the out- 
rage.... the papers, whether federal or republi- 
can, pronounced the same sentence.... the 
people breathed nothing bifc war, which was 
now thought inevitable. This impulse, how- 
ever, like all violent emotions, soon subsided, 
but it is still regarded as one of the principal 
subjects of misunderstanding between the two 
countries. 

The embargo still continues. A large por- 
tion of the mercantile part of tb.e community 
look forward to the next session of congress, 
expecting it will then be repealed, but 1 be- 
lieve the majority of the people are still in its 
flwour. Those who are hostile to the mea- 
sures, affirm that it was adopted by congress 
under an expectation that its effect on the 
beni2:erent nations would induce them to do 
the united States justice, but that it has failed 
to produce this effect, nor is there the least 
prospect of the sam^e ; that it is distressing 
and ruinous to the United States, whilst it is 
scarcely felt by those whom it was designed 
to operate ; that the commerce of France with 



( 148 ) 

the. United States, previous to the embargo 
was trifling, and that Britain has abundant 
vent for her manufactures in Spain and her 
colonies, since her rupture \\ ith France ; that 
the pressure of the embargo is chit fly on the 
French and Spanish West India islands, who 
had no share in the act of the parent country, 
find who had never done the United States the 
least injur}. The other party in reply, af- 
firm that the same reasons which rendered 
the embargo necessary still remain ; that had 
it not been for this measure, a vast deal of 
American produce would have been seized and 
condemned, under the French and British de- 
crees; that these decrees still remain, and 
have been even more rigorously enforc- 
ed ; that to trade with either of thfe belligerent 
nations, whilst each cut off the commerce of 
the United States with every other country, 
would be prostrating national dignity and in- 
dependence ; that if the British and French 
West India islands suffer from die embargo, 
they must look up to the injustice of the pa- 
rent countries, as the sourse of the evil, and 
not the United States. , They affirm that the 
clamours respecting the effect of the embargo 



( 149 ) 

on the <:ouiitry is greatly exaggerated, and 
that though it is productive of inconvenience, 
it is not without its concomitant good ; that 
as necessity is the motlier of invention, it has 
induced the country to turn its attention to 
domestic manufactures ; that several are alrea- 
dy established ami in operation, and others 
contemplated in every part of the union ; that 
they hope the period is not far distant when 
America, disdaining to have any intercourse 
with nations, who disregard all law and jus- 
tice, will shew the world that she can live on 
her own internal resources. 

The circumstance which chiefiV excites the 
regret of the party in favor of the embargo, is 
its frequerit violation. Rather than see such 
daily instances of corruption before their eyes, 
and exposed to the rest of the world, many of 
them would almost wish the law repealed 
altogether. Although bond with considera- 
ble penalties, is required to insure that every 
vessel, cleared from any part of the United 
States, is bound to some other part of the 
country, although cruizing vessels are employ- 
ed to guard the coast, and many other restric- 
tions used; the people have found various 

N 2 



( 150 ) 

ways to evade them all. Sometimes these 
smugglers seize a favorable time and place to 
load and . sail without the knowledge of the 
officers, whose duty it is to suppress such 
trade ; sometimes they conform to the requi- 
sitions of the law, and pretend to be blown off 
the coast, and land in distress in some foreign 
country, where they sell their cargo; and in 
many instances they have conveyed their pro- 
perty by land to an adjoining territory, where 
they expect it either in their own vessel, or 
vessels chartered for the purpose. To pro- 
vide a remedy for all these invasions, and 
many others which the ingenuity of those 
whose ruling passion is love of gain has found 
out, would be a matter equally complicated 
and difficult, and after all can never be fully 
cifected. To cut off external commerce must 
prove a great embarrassment to internal inter- 
course ; and to suppress the licentiousncs of 
smugglers, must impose great inconvenience 
on those whose views are honest, and to the' 
people generally. 



C 151 ) 



LETTER XII 



■'f#-'^ 



My friend Appolonious of whom I gave 
some account in a former letter, lately accom- 
panied me to a publick election which he as- 
sured me would be a scene both new and 
pleasing. As soon as we entered the hall 
where the candidates were seated, and where 
the people were successively giving in their 
votes, the countenance of my companion 
brightened up with joy in viewing the exer- 
cise of this important priviledgeof his belov- 
ed country. After we had satisfied our curi- 
osity , we rambled together to a wood, where 
my companion gave nu^ an oration on the ** tn- 
lightened state" of his country. His remarks 
being altogethtr the result of that nv^mcntary 
feeling of nationality which was exci.ed in his 
bo^om, they were too ge^ eral to give me any 
new or important information. This favour- 
ite epithet which the iVmeiicans lavish on 



( 152 ) 

themselvas in such a romantick degree, a for- 
eigner is "at a loss to discover the meaning 
of. Like most other expressions of a simi- 
lar kind, it is too general to be intelligible, 
and whilst the people extend it to every branch 
of civilization, a stranger can discover its ap- 
plication to but very few, ahd even in those 
not without doubt and hesitation. 

In several departments the Americans are 
perhaps equal to Europe, in some superior, 
but in many they are certainly below it. 

They have the exercise of important polit- 
ical priviledges, but it does not follow that 
their skill in this science is in an equal de- 
gree. The former was guaranteed by the con- 
stitution and inherited at their birth : the lat- 
ter nuistbe acquired by industry and applica- 
tion. The former is in several of the states 
measured out by the possession of property, 
which is no criterion of the possession of 
information, as on the contrary men may 
have a good education without having a free- 
hold. 

From the boast which the Americans make 
of those important priviledges which they 
possess, one would suppose that they would 



( 153 ) 

at least be solicitous to acquire that degree of 
political skill which is necessary to exercise 
them with discretion. But this duty I appre- 
hend is but feebly felt by the community, and 
if they attend the publick elections which.they 
do from party zeal it is as much as they per- 
form. Tae author, the schoolmaster, the 
mechanick strive to perfect themselves in their 
respective departments, because this is the 
foundation of their interest and reputation. 
But when we look to the community, the 
duty of acquiring knowledge in their social 
relations does not operate with the same 
warmth if it operates at all. According to 
the maxim of these people, " charity begins 
at home" and " what is every body's business 
is no body's business," and notwithstanding 
all their declarations to the contrary they in no 
respect evince the truth of these sayings more 
than in politicks. These reflections are evi- 
dently as applicable to publick men as they 
are to the people, and if the former de\ ote a 
little more time to the political scenes of their 
country (which I am not sure is always the 
case) it is rather for their own reputation or to 
save themselves from the blush, than from the 



{ 1^^ ) 

disinterested wish to promote the general in- 
terest of their country. The extraordinary 
exertions of tlie celebrated Giecian Demos- 
thenes to overcome the natural impediments 
of his speech, proceeded no doubt more from 
the ambition to excel in eloquence, than from 
any advantages, which liis eloquence might 
bestow on his country. The publick men 
here are seldom under the influence of the 
Grecian or Roman enthusiaiim. I hive heard 
of several characters A^ho had long exercibcd 
the right of suffrage and never thought of study- 
ing the institutions of their country until they 
weie themselves prompted by ambition, or the 
advice of their friends, to offer for some publick 
office, and then they only study ihem from the 
same motive with which a school boy cons 
over his lesson a few m^cments before he is 
called up to be heard by i;is master. 

When I wcis in Europe and looked forward 
to the period when I should arrive in this land 
of freedom ; when I saw the independent effu- 
sions of its newspaper writings, '' This 
eomitry," said I to myself, *' is the true pro- 
vince of a traveller.... there I sliali not be placed 
under the painful necessity of courting infor- 



( 155 ) 

mation from a few proud classes of men..... 
wherever I go those sons of freedom can in- 
form me of die constiturion and laws of their 
country; my enquiries will be satisfied, my 
doubts removed, and my ignorance dissipa- 
ted." But alas! how was the picture reversed, 
how did mv charms vanish when I arrived. I 
had previously procured s(3me of the best 
books on the institutions and manners of the 
country that I had heard of, not only that I 
might be the better qualified to meet the ex- 
positions which I should every where hear, but 
also to save mvseU from the b.ush of shame in 
the various conversations which I should have. 
But how strangely did these people fail below 
mv exnectations when I found that so far from 
being able to perform the part of an interpreter, 
their informatio i was in m.my respects inferior 
to mv own? On some topicks they v\ ere totally 
uninformed and on others their ideas were 
erroneous, scanty, and iliiberal. Some regard- 
ed my enquiries with entire indifference, others 
seemed to think them intended (or a reflection 
on them, and others seemed to be ingeniously 
awakened to their ignorance ; but few, indeed, 
^vere capable of entering into any rational dis- 



( 156 ) 

cussion, or of giving me any important infor- 
mation. The federal conatitution itself though 
it is the palladium of publick liberty, and in 
the mouth of every one, is read by few. 

In a short excursion in the country soon 
after my arrival htre, I fell into company with 
a farmer on the road, we travelled on together 
until we came opposite to a house which he 
informed me was his, and requested me to 
call and stay with him all night, with which 
I complied. We had been talking on poli- 
ticks, and I accidentally asked him if he had 
ever read the constitution. ** No,*' replied 
he, *' I have often heard of it but never read it. 
^* It was as my paper tells me, framed by w ise 
'' men, and tends to secure our liberty, and ^ 
** that is enough for me. I have not time to 
** devote to these difficult subjects. There 
** are many of your over curious philosophers 
*' that get inimersed in these matters, neglect 
" their private affairs, become bewildered, and 
** find themselves involved in a thousand diffi- 
*' culties. My newspaper is my guide, and I 
*' do all 1 can to knock down federalism ; I 
•* attend every election, rain, hail or shine, 



( 157 ) 

*' for they shall never get an inch of ground 
*' from us." 

From the preceding statement thou wilt at 
once perceive the two reasons why the politi- 
cal knowledge of the people of this country is 
neither so general nor so correct as a stranger 
would imagine. In the first place they do not 
sufficiently study their prominent political in- 
stitutions ; and in the next place they are too 
much governed by the flimsy representation of 
party writers. They are in this view like a ves- 
sel without her helm, and driven whithersoever 
the wind may direct. Viewing the publick 
law, and newspaper writing, as two distinct 
departments and sources of information, this 
difference occurs. The institutions of iaw are 
permanent and fixed : the eifusions of news- 
papers are as changeable as the wind. All 
the parts of the former agree and con- 
spire to make one system: those of the latter 
are as contradictory and dabbing as the ac- 
count of the confusion of tongues at the to^\ er 
of Babel ; the former serves as a rule of con- 
duet to pubiick men, and of course a rule of 
judging for the people ; the latter serves only 

o 



"^ ( 158 ) 

to abuse or to flatter the conduct of the one, 
and mislead the judgment of the other. 

Thou must not conclude from this letter 
that the people of this country are more igno- 
rant of political science than the people of 
Europe. They are, I think, in this respect, 
above the people of Europe, though they cer- 
tainly fall far below their own romantick ideas. 
In the controul which they have over the pub- 
lick administration, they are too apt to con- 
found knowledge with power, and think they 
are illuminated with the one, when they are 
only in the dormant possession of the other. 
Gn the other hand, it must be recollected that 
where political priviledges are possessed and 
exercised bv all classes of citizens; wliere 
political topicks in so many shapes come 
under their inspection, and are so frequently 
the subject of conversation, it is impossible 
but the people must acquire a degree of poli- 
tical skill unknown to countries immersed in 
slavery, and though this knowledge is not 
very brilliant it is pretty general. 



( 159 ) 



LETTER XIII. 



Appolonius and mvself have now become 
inseperable companions. We walk, we ride, 
we comment arid converse together. In all 
his sentiments respecting his own country he 
gives me (without perhaps being aware of it) 
only one side of the question, and the other I 
must find out from my own observation and 
rejection. For this reason I am not aivvays 
disposed to receive liis opinions as infaUible. 
When this is the case a Vvarm discussion ge- 
nerally ensues..., and I, by this means, derive 
many hints which I could not otherwise obtain, 
while the good nature of my companion pre- 
chides the possibiHty of displeasing him by 
the freedom of my remarks. In a late conver- 
sation with him, he unfolded to me at some 
length the government of his country and 
endeavoured to shew its superiority to tliat of 
any other. In speaking of the leeiblative 



( 160 ) 

body he observed....*' There we hear no sla- 
vish allusions to empty titles, but the honour 
and interest of the nation is v hat rouses their 
energies and governs their proceedings." 
It is true, replied I, that this body have 
m great and honourable duties to perform ; but I 
fear thy national partiality carries thee too far 
when thou supposest they are performed in 
such an irreproachable manner as stated. — 
They have, it is true, no kings to revere, but 
diCy are subjects to the demon of party ; and 
if tliCV use no slavish allusions to tides above 
them, they use very harsh epithets towards 
each other. Scarcely, I believe, does a ses- 
sion pass Gvc r in which there does not occur 
much unneces«iaiy harshness in the publick de- 
bates and even private misunderstandings. 
Challenges are sometimes passed and duels 
sometimes follow. Thou wilt recollect that 
in one instance tvvo individuals, even in the 
hall of congress, forgot themselves so far as to 
lay aside the character of legislators and take 
up that of boxing champions, and instead of 
arguments tried what effect hard blows would 
have. I hope this candour will forgive the 
freedom of my remarks, since I believe they 



( 161 > 

are sanctioned by truth.... they relate to the 
American Congress, and can have no allusion 
to thee. 

**Alas!" exclaimed Appolonius, ^*your 
answer is of that severe kind which, though I 
know to be exaggerated, banish my ideas and 
leave me without the power of reply. Your 
remarks, you say, are on the American Con- 
gress, and not on me, but I thought you were 
sufficiently acquainted with me to know that 
my publick patriotism is almost as strong as 
my private feelings and to satirize my country 
is little less than to satirize me. However, I 
am ready to believe that this proceeded from 
the freedom of your manner and not from any 
acrimony, and I will not, therefore, suffer 
either you or myself to dwell on the circum- 
stance. To return to your remarks on Con- 
gress....! cannot but think there is more in- 
genuity than candour in what you said, and 
that you know you were only exhibiting one 
side of the picture. The acrimony of discus- 
sion you would make a vice peculiar to tlie 
American Congress, when it is no more than 
a weakness belonging to the whole human 

race. In a body where there exists such free- 

o 2 



(162 ) 

dom of discussion there will always te some 
degree of severity attached to it i and in a body 
composed of so many members there will always 
be some w ho will act disorderly. These cir- 
cumstances are not peculiar to our legislature, 
but prevails in those where far less freedom of 
enquiry is enjoyed. The impatience of argu- 
ment takes place too as universally in private 
conversation as in publick debates^ and the 
severity with which you yourself spoke a while 
ago is a proof of it." 

I know, replied I, that this frailty is com- 
mon in private life, but when men assume a 
publick character, their conduct should as- 
sume a correspondent change, and they should 
no longer suffer their private feelings to govern 
them. The cause of the publick is not pro- 
moted but perverted by such conduct. When 
congress is assembled in the hall dedicated to 
the independence of the nation : when the 
constitution alone should be their guide, is 
this the time or the occasion for them to in- 
dulge their private animosities ? I cannot but 
think that this folly (owing perhaps to the pe- 
culiar freedom of your government) is more 
common and carried to greater extremes in 



( 163 ) 

the American congress than almost any other 
publick body. The instances I mentioned 
are a strong indication of this truth, and I did 
not advert to them from a view to exaggerate, 
but because they were so prominent as could 
not escape my notice. I perceive too that we 
differ on this subject in the most essential par- 
ticular.... thou seemest to look upon this as a 
matter of mere etiquette, but I look upon it as 
a matter of deep national importance. Under 
monarchal governments, indeed, the operation 
of party spirit is always salutary, but in repub- 
lican governments its violence is much to be 
dreaded. By the firmness and wisdom of 
congress the liberty of the people may be pre- 
served and their interest promoted ; when 
publick infatuation or party violence might 
endanger the one and defeat the cause of the 
other. Though men in power receive their 
authority from the people they should not give 
up the dictates of their own judgment but 
should promote the interest and not adopt the 
follies of their constituents. 

** I perceive'* answered my friend *' that 
you have shifted the point in dispute and 
finding yourself miable to maintain the first. 



( 164 ) 

you have artfully assumt-d another which bears 
to it some analogy Your remarks which at 
firsr onh related to the impatience of discus- 
sion, now embrace the general principle of 
party violence, which at first only related to 
congress and the administration, now embrace 
the government and the people. 1 have only 
to say in reply, that the spirit of pa^ty whose 
effects you so much deprecate, is not only in- 
separable from the very existence of a popular 
government but absolutely necessary for its 
salutary operation ; and that we have heretofore 
enjoyed all its blessings without any of its 
evils. The enemies of our country and the 
enemies of our government, have been eager- 
ly looking for some occurrence which would 
gratify their hostility and justify their political 
tenets, but in vain. Many I believe who were 
once enemies to a republican government 
in theory are now induced from its happy 
example in this country, to yield to it the 
tribute which it deserves. If foreign nations 
are so blinded by prejudice that they cannot 
perceive its beautv, it is sufficient that we 
Americans can, and that we are at all times 
ready to sacrifice our lives in its support. 



( 165 ) 

Thousands of individuals in those countries 
that pretend to despise our government are 
often glad enough to fly to it for an assylum. 
The only thanks however, which we get by 
affording them protection, is their abuse while 
at home, though they groaned under oppres- 
sion they dared not complain." 

These replied I are sentiments both natural 
and honourable. It is wisely ordained by pro- 
vidence that every people should not only be 
satisfied with, but partial to the government 
whatever it may be under which they live, and 
the people of a monarchy are as ready to sac- 
rifice their lives in support of their King, as 
this country in support of its liberty. But 
viewing the matter in an abstract point of view 
I cannot think the example of the United 
States affords any strong argument for the per- 
manence of a republican government. Popular 
governments founded on principles less wise 
than those of the constitution of this country 
have existed longer ; but I do not think that 
any example, ancient or modern, afford a de- 
cisive argument on the subject. 

Among the many discussions which have 
taken place on this subject, there appears to 



( 166 ) 

me to be a distinction v\ hich has not been 
sufficiently attended to» and it is my impres- 
sion that a republican government is produc- 
tiv'C of most happiness, and a monarchal one 
most permanent. It is true that in this coun- 
try the example of the former has been salu- 
tary and the prospect is still brilliant and 
pleasing, but let us take circ^imstances into 
consideration. This rcpublick is as yet but 
just established, the revolution . still fresh in 
every persons mind, many are living Vvho bore 
a part in it ; and it would surely be surpri- 
sing if the people could already think of de- 
stroying that fabrick, the erection of which 
cost their fathers so much blood, toil, and 
difficulty. The circumstances of the history 
of this countrv too, since the revolution have 
not been such as to lead ye from the path of 
duty. Ye have enjoyed an almost uninterrup- 
ted peace, had few temptations to encounter, 
and ftwdiiTiCultles to contend \^ ith. Eul is it not 
to be feared that as tlie country grov. s eld- 
er, domestick corruption will take place, and 
publick disasters follow ? Nay, if we inspect 
your history since the tevoluiion, we shall not 
be at a loss even at this early period, to disco- 



( 1^7 ) 

ver symptoms of that disease so hostile to the 
permanence of a republick. 

At the conclusion of the revolution strong 
indications of an actual insurrection began to 
appear among the army, and had it not been 
for the firmness and personal influence of the 
commander in chief, might have led to 
fatal consequences. When after peace was 
concluded, and a war broke out between 
France and England, such was the infatuation 
of this country, that*diey were almost impel- 
led openly, to take up arms against the latter, 
which might have entailed endless evil with- 
out the least prospect of advantage. The 
treaty of ninety four occasioned equal irritation 
and greater clamour against the government. 
In some parts of the federal administration, 
during the term of Mr. Adams,, party spirit 
assumed a degree of violence far worse than 
the acrimony or scurrility of nevvspaper wri- 
ting, and the people were ia some parts al- 
most ready to rise in open rebellion. Even 
at the present period, is not the opposition of 
•a large portion of the people to the measures 
of government, and iheir impatience under the 
pressure of the embargo, and the stagnation of 



C 168 ) 

trade great and alarming. Though it was 
thought at the time it was adopted, a measure 
of prudence and necessity, and I am told is 
thought so still in foreign c^ untries, yet 
such is the opposition to it here, that it is 
daily repeated, and believed that if not repeal- 
ed, it will occasion a revolt of the eastern from 
the western states. A division of the union 
will be the destruction of the constitution, and 
cannot take place probably without ari epusion 
of blood. Think not that these reflections 
give me any pleasure. Gladly would I be- 
lieve that your government were immortal I' 
Most devoudy do I wish that ye may al- 
ways reap the same benefit from it that ye 
have done heretofore. 

*^\nd I" replied my companion ^*not only hope 
so, but have no doubt but it \\ iii be the case. 
The great misfortune is that you being a for- 
ei^-ner, and altosreiher unacqifainted with the 
customs of a republic, vit:w them in a distorted 
shape. Liberty you coastiue inio licentious- 
ness, and clamours Vvhioh to } ou appear big 
with terror, are in the eyes of a citizen peiftct- 
Iv harmless. Believe what I teli you, and you 
may rest assured that the rumours 3 ou haVe 



( 169 ) 

mentioned are wholly without foundation, and 
■"like those thousands which in every country 
and every age, serve to amuse the credulity of 
mankind. The eastern states impute the 
hostility to the western states, and the western 
states impute it to the eastern states ; but in 
fact it is to be found neither in the east nor 
the w^est; the north nor the south. One half 
of the people tell the tale, and the other half 
believe it ; but the being who would put it in 
execution is no where to be found, and the 
mere offspring of imagination. That there 
"exists at present considerable freedom of dis- 
cussion I readily grant, but little more than 
what has existed ever since the establishment 
of our government, and which is insc[)arab!e 
from it. You might as well suppose that 
when the sky is overcast with clouds, that the 
sun will never more be seen, as to suppose 
that the transient clamours of the present day 
can destrov or weaken our s^rlorious constitu- 
tion. The p^^ople are not so stupid as to 
plunge into the horrors of civil war, to remove 
a diffiv.ulty for which the constitution itself 
piipvides a sufficient remeds . If publick men 

abuse their duties, the people can easily re- 

p 



( 170 ) 

move ihem and put others in their place. — 
This is the course which always has been 
adop'ccl, and I hope always will be. 

** Adhering to your system, that republicks 
are not calculated to last, you nevertheless ac- 
knowlediJ^e their benevolent -ind salutary ten- 
dency. You say a popular government is best 
calculated to secure the happiness of the peo- 
ple, and a monarchal one best calculated to 
last. This is acknowledging in substance, 
that monarchies are oppressive, and in this 
light it is certainly no recommendation, but a 
misfortune that they are calculated to last. — 
We must look upon it as a consuming disease, 
which the people cannot get rid of too soon ; 
as a galling yoke, which the sooner they can 
throw off the better. But even on the ground 
of durability, I do not think that an^ iiiftrence 
disadvantageous to the government of the 
United States can be drawn. You cannot 
draw any argument from the example of an- 
cient republicks, because tliat of the United 
States is liOt orlv far superior, but altogether 
different from any thing of the kind that ever 
existed, and the framers of our constitution 
profited from both ar.cient and modern history. 



(171 ) 

The freedom of the people, and the power of 
rulers are so judiciously divided, as equally to 
exclude the licentiousness of the former, and 
the tyranny of the latter. The different de- 
partments of government are so wisely orga- 
nized as to afford a mutual check ; and so ac- 
curately prescribed that neither can encroach 
on the duiies of another. That our govern- 
ment should possess these excellencies cannot 
be doubted, \^ hen you consider the enlighten- 
ed crisis which gave it birth, and the peculiar 
circumstances which attended its formation. 
Neither ambition, power, accident, nor pnju- 
dice, had any share in its creation. It was 
the joint production of a body equally learned 
and accute, delegated by their country for this 
duty, and who had no other wish at heart, but 
to perform it wisely and faithfully." 

Thy national enthusiasm in favor of thy go- 
yernment, replied I, commands my respect ; 
but I cannot but think it somewhat like the 
enthusiasm of a lover who attributes to his 
mistress a thousand charms which are the off- 
spring of his own fancy. Without entering 
into a discussion on the comparative excel- 
lence of the republick of this country, and 



( 172 ) 

those of ages past, I must believe that the 
principle of their o|.eration is pretty nearly 
the -same, and that where so much power is 
possessed by the people, it is as likely to be 
absurd at the present day, as it Was at any 
former period. You say the people are not 
so stupid as to plunge into the horrors of civil 
war, to obviate an inconvenience for which 
the constitution provides a sufficient remedy. 
The constitution indeed supposes that a majo- 
riry should rule. But in the intervals of elec- 
tion, this principle cannot be ascertained, and 
if it could be ascertained the minority are not 
always disposed to submit to the majority. — 
When parties are under this ungovernable 
[■)hrenzy they cannot submit, or even advert 
to the cold dictates of duty. Thus, the great 
disadvantage of a republick is the fluctuating 
disposition of the peoj)le, and their continual 
aptness to be carried to extremts. Party 
spirit among them is sometimes so violent as 
to derange the wheels of government; at other 
times so weak as not to afford to them a suffi- 
cient check. Sometimes the people are per- 
secuting and cruel to their publick characters ; 
at other times they place in them a dangerous 



( 173 ) 

confidence, and look up to them with an adu- 
lation approaching that which subjects pay 
their sovereign. Sometimes they are ready 
to be led on by violent ambitious demagogues, 
at other times they are lulled into apathy, and 
submit to the silent, progressive and plausible 
encroachments of those in power, and are 
awakened when it is too late to a sense of their 
situation. 

'* Alas !*' exclaimed my companion, ^* in- 
stead of drawing a fair comparison between a 
monarchy and a republick, and noting die 
prominent features in each, you keep nothing 
but a republick in view and magnify its evils, 
but forget its blessings. Tlrat arepublick has 
its inconveniences like every thing else on 
this earthly scene, no one will doubt; but If 
it is productive of more happini^ss, and fewer 
evils than a monarchy, that is sul£cient to 
determine its excellence, and decide the pre- 
dilection of an impartial mind. Without 
considering that our constitution is altogether 
different from those of ages past, 3'ou apply to 
the former all the defects of the latter. With- 
out considering the happy experiment and 

salutary tendency of it exhibited in our history j 

V 2 



( 174 ) 

you indulge yourself in melancholy reveries 
with respect to the future. Notwithstanding 
all that you have said about publick dema- 
gogues, party spirit, and danegrous apathy, 
I find nothing in our history ; nothing in our 
future prospects which can justify your con- 
clusions. Our great and good Washington 
had indeed the gratitude of his country for 
unparalleled political and military services, yet 
in every part of his administration there ex- 
isted among the people sufficient freedom of 
discussion to keep both branches of govern- 
ment on their guard. His successor Mr. Adams 
was warmly and generally condemned for the 
principles he espoused, but the people were not 
carried to any dangerous or ridiculous ex- 
tremes: there existed among them sufficient 
freedom of opinion to exhibit both sides of the 
question, and they were satisfied with remove- 
ing him from office and placing the executive 
authority in the hands of another, whom they 
conceived would pursue a difierent course.'' 
I have transcribed this dialogue as nearly as 
I can recollect, because it affbrdi perhaps a 
curious picture of the different manner in 
which different persons sometimes view the 



( 175 ) 

same subject. It may also serve as a general 
view of the opinions of these people concern- 
ing their government. I give the conclud- 
ing marks in the sentiments of my compan- 
ion, because lam not ambitious of any hon- 
our which I might have derived from the ar- 
gument, and because I know that whether 
my opinions were given last or those of my 
companion it would have little influence on 
the strength and rectitude of they understand- 
ing, whatever may be your opinion on the sub- 
ject. Adieu. 



( 176 ) 



LETTER XIV. 



It has been a hackneyed remark of the 
philosopher and the peasant ; the ambitious 
and the unaspiring ; the avaricious and the 
contented ; the idle and the laborious ; the man 
of pleasure and the man of business; the } oung 
and the old; male and female.... that man is 
never satisfied with what he may at present 
possess, but is constantly looking forward to 
what he may, in future, enjoy. These pleas- 
ing hopes are not drawn from the laws of things 
but our own chimeras. I'he present is always 
depreciated, the future magnified, and the past 
forgotten. We let go the substance to grasp 
at the shadow, and to avoid imaginary evils 
plunge into such as are real. And what is the 
conclusion? Be contented with the present, 
provide decently for the future, and be not 
perplexed with imaginary evils. Of this maxim 
every heart is convinced, and every tongue 



( 177 ) 

eloquent, but few give the exam[)le in their 
own conduct. All can point out the course 
to others, but none can lead the way.... all are 
ready to command, but none to obey. When 
men exhort it is with a confident air and an 
ardent manner ; when they listen it is wiih a 
cold nod of assent they stretch and yawn.— 
The former wonder that such an indispu- 
table truth should f^iil to make its due im- 
pression ; the latter wonder to hear such a 
trite observation repeated. It is easy to 
perceive that it will be preached and ac- 
knowledged to the end of the world, but that 
mankind will as invariably pursue the course, 
they do, as the earth will continue to revalve 
in its orbit. 

It may be from this universal spirit of dis- 
content that I have heard in every country die 
Complaint of hard times. It i** the caiit at all 
times and among all classes, and is so common 
that it is impossible to know when it is true. 
One would suppose if any country was exempt 
from this absurd complaint it would be the 
United States. While they declaim against 
the tyranny and pity the misery of every otlier 
country, they extol their own as the land of 



{ 178 ) 

liberty and happiness, the assyliim of tlie op- 
pressed of erery other country. Such is their 
national exultation, but when I mix among 
indi\ iduals, hard times is the constant subject 
of complaint. In the foi mer case the blessings 
are magnified and rhe evils forgotten ; in the 
latter the evils are nicigi ified and the blessings 
forgotten. Yet, v. hat is national prosperity 
and happiness, but individual prosperity and 
happiness ? \\ h} boa.st of the oriC and be dis- 
satisfied wiih the in( ivi('Ual portion uhich they 
possess of the other ? When the sun shines, 
or the air is pure, do not all equally enjoy the 
blessing ? 

This complaint of *' hard times" every one 
makes use of to suit his own views. If a man 
involves himself in debt without considering 
the prudence of the step or the means of pay- 
ing, and is reminded by his creditor that the 
time is past when he should have paid, he 
declares diat he has made eveiy exertion he 
possibly could, but such is '* the hardness of 
the times'' that it is impossible either to make 
money or collect it : but rem/mds him that 
times caiiuot continue long in their present 
aspect, and he may rest assured of being soon 



( 179 ) 

paid. If a publican should not accommodate 
his customers so well as they may have reason 
to expect ; if his beef is lean, his poultry poor 
or his vegetables scarce, he makes an humble 
apology, assures them that it has always been- 
his exertion to procure the best, but that the 
markets are so badly supplied, and these arti- 
cles so high that he could not provide as he 
wished, and reminds them that it cannot be 
otherwise, when they take into view the difficul- 
ty of tlie tim.es. U a dependant recounts 
to his employer the services he has render- 
ed, or states the insufficiency of his present 
pay, the latter tells him that should the times 
grow better he will think about it> but that 
they are at present too dull to admit of 
ariy thing more. If an old batchelor who 
is aiiiuent in fortune, and easy in his situation, 
is asked why he does not get married, he 
observes, that in that case he should have to 
make additions to his house, buy new furni- 
ture, and enter into many expences which the 
hardnesis of the times forbid him to thiiik of. 
If a man enters into a new trade or business, 
and finds that it does not answer his expecta- 
tiotis ; if liis profits arc not equal to his expen- 



( 180 ) 

CCS, he still consoles himseif under the retiec- 
tion that he cannot judge from so hasty a trial, 
that his difiicuities necessarily arise from the 
'^ hardness of the times" but that these clouds 
will soon blow over, and a brilliant horizon 
open to view. If an old maid, grown ugly 
and ill natured, is quized on the subject of 
her situation ; she declares that such is the 
difficulty of the times, that the men are alto- 
gether taken up in their pecuniary affairs, 
that they have no prospect of getting mar- 
ried, and that she liad much rather re- 
main with her father, mother, uncle, or aunt, 
than to get married and contend with the 
*' hardness of the times." 



{ 181 ) 



LETTER XV. 



The more I trace the national character of 
these people.; the more I have occasion to ob- 
serve their extravagant egotism. The Chinese, 
from time immemorial, have considered their 
country as the center of the earth, and all 
beyond it as contemptible appendages : the 
people here look upon theirs as the spot of 
perfection, and all beyond it as overrun with 
wretchedness and error. Hence the}' style it 
** the assylum of the oppressed of every other 
nation." Their laws, indeed, in relation to 
foreigners, do not want philanthropy j but the 
people are but little governed by the like 
spirit, and foreigners here, as in e\ery other 
country, are looked upon with a jealous eye. 
Some thty consider as perverted by max- 
ims of tvrannv : others as intoxicated with 
tlie stream of liberty, and all who happen to 
differ from them on politicks, are proscribed 



( 182 ; 

as enemies to the coimtiy. No iiatioii .?o 
they load with more opprobrious epithets than 
Britain, though it is not only tlie wisest go- 
vernment of Europe, but that from which the 
United States itself has received almost the 
whole bociy of its most valuable laws. Thus 
they praise the purity of the stream \\ hile 
they declaim against the corruption of the 
source, they enjoy the fruit but despise the 
tree from which it was gathered. While 
they boast of their superior laws, they forget 
that these laws are in almost ail their relations, 
secured, traced, and defined by the numerous 
volumes of British precedents and British com- 
mentaries. While their eyes dart fury against 
the tyranny of Great Britain, their students 
consume the midnight oil over the volumes 
of Blackstone and Coke, their judges revolve 
them in mind in giving a legal decision, and 
their lawyers strive with all the art of sophis- 
try or ihe evidence of truth, to shew that tl eir 
conclusion is drc'wn fiom these indubitable 
authorities. Their own jurisprudence they 
look upon as having no fault, that of every 
o h-.r countrv as haviiii^ no excellence. 



"^^ 



^ m 



f- 



( 183 ) 

Bat let me not go too far, or be led into 
extremes in the one way as the Americans 
are in the other. Let me not forget that I 
have aspired to the elevated char.icter of a 
citizen of the world ; that I am a s<)ectaior and 
not an actor in the scenes which pass in review 
before me. I will net deny then, that the 
Americans have in several respects, greatly 
improved the British code, and rendered it 
not only more congenial to their own peculiar 
form of government, but better calculated to 
•secure the rights and happiness of the people. 
Britain indeed is the mine from which the 
materials generally have been imported, but 
these materials have in many cases undergone 
a new operation ; the dross thrown away and 
the pure metal a'one retained. The venerable 
ediiice of tlie British common law" was estab- 
lished here long before the revolution, but 
since that period it has recei\ cd new addi- 
tions, and more splendid decorations, and 
strikes the enliolitened friend of man with 
more divine rapture. The benign Goddess 
of Juiitice that sits in it smiles alike on all who 
seek it for an assylum, and in her apartments 
are no invidious distinctions. As the dawn 



( 184 ) 

of the revoluticn diiTused the enthusiasm of 
liberty, and inspired universally new views of 
gfjvernmeiit and law, the people naturally re- 
jected every tiait of the British law which wore 
an arristocratick or monarchal cast. These 
changes were diiFerendy modified in the dif- 
ferent states. There are some traits, however, 
that emanated from the new order of things, 
which appear to be pretty general. 

As all the old European systems of the 
conncclion between church and state, together 
widi the diiTerent degrees of religious autho- 
ritv was rejected, so care was taken that no 
otlier species of religicms tyranny should be 
. introduced, and that every one should enjoy 
the priviledge of believing and propagating 
^A'hatevcr reli«:lon he choose. The law re- 
quires no contribution for thQ support of re- 
ligion, and no particular religion is eiiher 
saiiCtioned o!* pioscribcd. How happv are 
tl".e people of this country in this particular ! 
lii how manv shapes has reU2;ion been made 
ihe iiistrmnentof the most dreadful oppression. 
How often has an innocent or inadvertent ex- 
pression been regarded by the jaundiced eye 
of religioub fanaticism as a subject oi heinouS' 



( 185 ) 

accusation; con'jigned the culprit to the damps 
[ and darkness of a dungeon, or led him to die 
stake to expin* in flames amidst the shouts and 
Iiuzzas of a numerous multitude, assembled 
to enjoy the scene. Oh, ye bloodthirsty, de- 
luded fanaticks ! is it thus ye \A'ouId worship 
God, by murdering your fellow men. 

Though the government in this country has 
not yielded any pecuniary support to religion 
this circumstance has not given that blow to 
it which foreign countries predicted. Chris- 
tianity, \\ hich the people inherited from their 
fathers, was at the revolution as it is now, the 
reigning religion of the age, and the people 
rejected all legal interference, not because they 
doubted the trutli of this religion, but becanse 
thev believed such interfereiice an infrins:e- 
ment on their general liberty. They conceiv- 
ed, and justly too, diat all men cannot think 
:ilike on the same subject, and that if this was 
practicable, the only Riir means of promoting 
or obtaininix it is throu^^h the internal evidence 
of religion itself, that the mind cannot, like the 
body, be feUereJ, and that force can ne\'cr 
supply the place of argument. 



12 



( 186 ) 

The only method, I believe, in which the 
government has undertaken to assist the cause 
of religion is now and then to authorize a lot- 
tery to raise a sum for religious purposes, but 
in this they have not, I believe, been partial to 
any particular sect. It is also a method adopt- 
ed to promote other publick objects, as cut- 
ting canals, building bridges, academies, 

That this was a noble proof of the indepen- 
dent spirit of the people cannot be doubted, 
but I doubt whether it has been any advantage 
to religion itself. Its branches may be moie 
numerous in consequence, but its roots not 
more vigorous. On religion, as on every 
other subject there will always be a portion 
who are neutral or wavering, and these are 
more likely to be increased than diminished 
bv the numerous divisions which they observe. 
While each sect affirm their own to be 
the only true creed those are inclined to doubt 
them all. They are disposed to v\ onder how 
Christianity, if it was clear in its doctrine 
and consistent in its parts, could give rise to 
so many different, and even contradiciory, 
creeds, and are ready to believe that if it is not 



i^ 



( 187 ) 

actually falpe, must at least be very obscure 
and doubtful. Their situation is somewhat 
like that of a judge in a court of justice, who 
hears the same fact stated in such different 
manner by different witnesses, that his mind is 
left in a state of doubt and suspence. Some 
sects will appear to be too lukewarm ; others 
too enthusiastic ; and there will always be 
some whose extravagant follies will be the 
subject of ridicule, not only to deists, but to 
mankind in general. If, on the contrary, re- 
ligion was clothed with some degree of autho- 
rity, the people would look up to her with 
more respect and reverence, but the misfor- 
tune is, she would be too apt to abuse her 
pi'iviledge, and discarding the principles of 
benevolence would exercise the rod of op- 
pression. 

But to return from this digression. Ano- 
ther characteristic difference between the laws 
of Britain and of this country, is that they are 
here less sanguinary, and operate more equally. 
As the hia^hest officers of the [rovernment are 
elected by the people for short periods, and 
are always responsible for their conduct in 
office, the laws of course partake of this cast, 



( 188 ) 

and ackno\^ ledge no distincticn between one 
chizen and another. Tii<,' British K.ng while 
he has the power of declaring war, or making 
peace; while in many instances he has the 
power of life and death over liis subjects, is 
himself subject to no law. The persons of 
the British lords are sacred, and they can only 
be tried by a jury of their own peers, but here 
the highest ofncer of government stands on 
the Sdme footing with the meanest citizen, 
and with respect to trial by jury, they have no 
other priviledge but to object to any indhid- 
uals of the jury who are supposed to be under 
\]\€ influence of personal pique or prejudice, 
which is also a priviledge enjoyed by every 
citizen. But to return to the Britibh King. 
There is something extremely absurd in the 
maxim of Kn^lish law, that ministers alcne 
are responsible for the faults of administration. 
While it shields the person of the King from 
the law, it reduces his official character to a 
mere cypher. It literally supposes that he 
has neither power nor capacity to dirtct tl e 
wheels of government, and that he is entirely 
under the controul of ministers. While he 
has tlie sole power of selecting and displacing 



C 189 ) 

his ministers : while they are in every respect 
under his command, and acknowledge him 
their master ; this maxun supposes him only 
their satelhte, no more than a clock in their 
hands, and who are therefore alone responsible 
for any irregularities of itsmodon. 

When I consider that in all publick elec- 
tions as well as publick proceedings in this 
country, a majority rules; and that the people 
seem to look upon this as the polar star of 
their liberty, I am inclined to wonder why 
the same principle has not been adopted in 
trial by jury. On the contrary the practice 
here, as in Britain, requires the verdict to be 
unanimous. On no sul>ject is it practicable 
that a number of men can always be of the 
same opinion, and if it was practicable it is 
rot necessar}^ If indeed the jury generally 
yield to the sam.e opinion, it is to be presumed 
they do it rather to save themselves from the 
inconvenience of being detained, than because 
they think it just. But even this miserable 
expedient is not always adopted, and a single 
man and often for the m.ost whimsical reason 
; has been known to detain a jury and embarrass 
f a cause for several days. I am m^uch mistaken 



( 190 ) 

if it does not also frequently give to designing 
men who are party to the cause, tlst po\\er of 
securing by persuasion or briber}", the vote of 
one or two of the jury, which if it does not 
always answer their purpose, is certainly a pal- 
pable obstruction to the free and pure admin- 
istration of justice. 

In place of the too sanguinary laws of Europe 
this country has adopted a plan which they 
conceive to be more wise and humane. In 
the principal states they have established pen- 
itentiary houses, where mechanical trades of 
different kinds are taught, and vvhere each of 
the unhappy beings \\\\o are confined in them 
are compelled to learn, and work at one of these 
trades. Is this sentence, my friend, or is it 
not preferable to death ? It is at least more 
congenial to the leading principles and wishes 
of man who is always disposed to cling to life, 
however bitter the draught, and therefore it 
may be pronounced more humane. But I 
confess that v\ hen I have visiter! those solidary 
cells the depression of my feelings but liitle 
inclined me to listen to the copioub expositions' 
of my interpretors respectirig the humanity of 
the plan, and the advantage accruing to the 



( 191 ) 

publick. When I considered the death- iu. : 
unifomiity with w hich the life of those unfor- 
tunate beings must drag on ; when I looked 
around me and beheld the sadiK.ss depicted 
in their countenances, my feelings were such 
as it would be in vain to express. But alas ! 
how does selfishness mix wi*h our most hu- 
mane emotions, for was it not selfishness 
which induced me to say '* 1 can never wit- 
ness these scenes again". 

It is stated, that in some of the states these 
institutions, besides being sufficient to support 
the prisoners and defray the expences of ma- 
nagement generally yield an annual income 
to the state. They are certainly conducted 
w^ith all the humanity which the case will ad- 
mit of, and every means em!)raced to give a 
ray of hope to the unfortunate prisoners. All 
who particularly distinguish themselves for 
industry and goo 1 behaviour stand a good 
ch ince to have the period of their confinement 
sliortened an:l their libertv restored. It is 
even stated that this method of punishment 
has brought m my back to a moral life, and 
ther'efore these institutions have not improper- 
ly received the name of " Penit.er»tiancs." In 



( 192 ) 

whatever light they may be viewed, they have 
certainly been established from good motives 
and from the insuperable reluctance oi the 
people to shedding the blood of their fellow 
citizens in legal cases. 



C 193 ) 



LETTER XVI. 



The great defect of an hereditary govern- 
ment is the despotick power which rulers ex- 
ercise over the people ; the great defect of an 
elective government is the despotick power 
which the people exercise over rulers. The 
cruelty of the Athenian mobs was as great as 
that of the Roman emperors, and the fate of 
Socrates, Aristides, and Phocion, is as much 
calculated to awaken our sympathy-, as any acts 
com.nitted by the latter. This, however may be 
said in favour of the republican government, 
that though the people have their follies, there 
is more reason in the principle, that the whole 
should have despotick pow er over a hw^ than 
that a k^w should have despotick power over 
the Vvhoie. 

You will be inclined to ask whether the 
evil oi a republic ui government, which i have 
ju;st mentioned, h.ib yu . ^>eareU in this coun- 



a 



( 194 ) 

try. With respect to publick trials by law, I 
must answer that it has not. This appears to be 
owing partly to the excellence of the constitu- 
tion and laws of the coutry, and partly to the po- 
litical integrity inseparable from a rising repub- 
lick. The manner of proceeding against pub- 
lick characters here, is very different from \\ hat 
it was in tiie republicks of Rome and Athens, 
and while it allows the accused person supe- 
rior priviledges, is better calculated to secure 
the ends of justice. Here he is brought be- 
fore a hall of justice, where the judge or judges 
who preside, are compelled to decide agreea- 
ble to law, and not agreeable to the popular 
temper or opinion of the people. He is aiow- 
ed the priviledge of counsel, time to collect 
his witnesses, and even legal process to cc m- 
pel their attendance. Under this arrai ge- 
ment, it is seldom that an unjust sentence can 
take place. But in the Roman and Athenian 
republicks, the manner of proceeding uas 
totally different, and their publick^.rnen w ere 
more at the disposal of the fluctuating temper 
of the people, than of any regular form of 
trial. The priviledges of the accused were 
f^w or wholly insutiicient for the purposes of 



( 195 ) 

justice. The turbulent disposition of the 
people left no hope of a fair trial, and the sen- 
tence of banishment or death was often passed 
on their most celebrated worthies, without the 

shadow of guilt. 

To affirm, however, that the despotism of 
the people is in this country wholly excluded 
from publick trials, would be to affirm what 
can never take place in any republick. Un- 
der every popular government there is so close 
a connection between publick officers and the 
people, that the conduct of the former must 
always be influenced in some degree by ^!ie 
prevailing temper of the latter. In trials 
where the publick mind is strongly agitated, 
the judges must possess a high degree of in- 
trepidit\ , and be almost exempt from human 
weakness, if they can wholly escape the pre- 
vailing contagion, whether it be for or against 
the accused. It is probable, however, .that 
this impulse is felt in a less degree by the 
judicial than it is by the legislative authorities. 
The officers of the former department are ap- 
pointed and removed by the legislature and the 
executive ; those of the latter are elected and 
discontinued by the people themselves. The 



( 196 ) 

former never receive petitions from tlie peo- 
ple, because the abstract province of their duty 
supposes the people have no knowledge there- 
in ; the latter frequently receive such petitions 
and always pay to them great attention. The 
former must make the abstract and compli- 
cated science of law the polar star of their 
conduct ; the latter must act according to the 
immergency and circumstances of the crisis, 
of which the people are not only supposed to 
have full knowledge, but in which their feel- 
ings are always excited in a lively and some^ 
times an extravagant degree. 

The highest judicial court of the United 
States is composed of the members of con- 
gress itself, 'ihere is no stated period for its 
sitting, which only takes place in cases of im- 
peachment, and these rarelv occur. It is here 
that the president of the Ui;ited States, minis- 
ti> and federal judges themselves are tried. 
The manner of proceefUng in a judicial capa- 
city, becomes (iiifereht from ^^hat it was in a 
legislative cap:^city, and in the former case the 
law is the rule of decision. 

From \\hi\t I have stated then, thou wilt dis- 
cover that publick characters are not here so 



( 197 ) 

much at the mercy of the fluctuating temper 
of the people, as they were in the ancient re- 
publicks,...but with respect to the portion of 
power which belongs exckisively to the peo- 
ple, it is exercised in a manner at once des- 
potick and absurd. Publick oflices are dispos- 
ed of in a manner truly capricious. The li- 
berty of the press is made the instrument of 
personal abuse, rather than of publick investi- 
gation ; and popularity, another gift of the 
people, rests on a foundation equally precari- 
ous and absurd. 

Two things must conspire to render an ad- 
ministration popular. It must in the first 
place be consistent with the political creed of 
the miijority of the nation, which is for the 
most part founiled in strong party prejudice.... ^ 
and secondly, it must have a plausible out- 
side appearance. When a majority of the 
nation elects a publick character to office, it is 
considered a glorious triumph, and they arc 
always inclined to support him in difficulty or 
prosperity. This thty do not because they 
think his conduct alwa) s right, but because 
they think it necessary to secure the honour 
of their party and the success of their cause> 



R A 



( 108 ) 

There is one method however by which pub- 
lick favour is easily lost, and this is by acting 
in contradiction to some leading principle of 
the creed of the popular party. It is then 
considered that the person guilty of this breach 
has forfeited their confidence, abandoned their 
cause, and gone over to the other party ; and 
while the one party brand him as a political 
apostate, the other receive him as an inde- \ 
pendent friend of his country, who would no 
longer adhere to a cause which he found ini- ! 
mical to the interest of the nation. 

To render an administration popular it must 
in the next place have a plausible outside ap- 
pearance. Truly speaking, we cannot judge 
of publick men by the prosperity or difficulty 
of the crisis, but the measures which were 
used to promote the one and'avert the other. 
The most ignorant mariner may steer the ves- ■ 
sel when the wind is fair, the points of land i 
known, and the sky serene, but the most ex- | 
perienced may be baffled where all is enveloped | 
in darkness, and the vessel assailed with vio- 
lent storms. There are difficulties in the po- 
litical horizon which it is no more in the 
power of the statesman to controul than it is ! 



•ffp 



( 199 ) 

in the power of the mariner to controul the 
elements. The publick however, the impa- 
tient, the fluctuating pubhck, attend but little 
to this distinction, and are ever inclined to 
judge from the prosperity, and not the wisdom 
of an administration. When the country is 
on the eve of war they affirm that it might 
have been prevented had the government been 
satisfied with peace on- reasonable terms ; but 
when they have received a real or imaginary 
insult from a foreign nation, they are not only 
roused to the utmost, but afiirm that it would 
never have been offered had it not been for 
the known pusillanimity of their own govern- 
ment. Publick difficulties create publick ir. 
ritation, and publick irritation is not a temper 
In which to make a fair estimation of men and 
measures. Indeed this requires not only great 
moderation of temper, but afeo a degree of 
political sagacity and political knowledge 
which does not fall to the share of the people 
in general. Many have not even the time or 
the opportunity to devote the necessary at- 
tention to the subject : others have not the 
common or nece-sary rudiments of education, 
and many depend for information on the flying 



( 2(^0 ) 

rumours of the day, on i:he flimsy representa. 
tio' i of violen r- partizans. Thus the lull cletai 
of pub ick pioceeclHigs and the many suljtk 
points which they embrace, are but partially 
understood (and a smattering of knowledge u 
often worse than none at all) ; but the actua 
difficulties of the crisis strikes the senses anc 
awakens the indignation. Every de^jartmeni 
of knowledge Tias its own terms, and there 
are many who are so ignorant of politicks- 
that they cannot ever speak on the subject! 
without helping themselves out. with the termjij 
of theii' own trade or profession. Their situil 
alion is somewhat like that of a sailor on land'j 
and of course out of his element, and when htj 
would speak of the objects around him, h\ 
compelled to use sea phrases which, whik 
they are unintelligible to some, excite th<' 
risibility of others, , 



( 201 ) 



LETTER XVIL 



Some excentrick characters, warm with 
;eneral benevolence have doubted, whether 
pon the eternal and reciprocal principles of. 
iistice, we have a right to subject inferior 
nimals to toil and labour, for our conveni- 
nee, or to destroy them for our food. This 
ndeed is one of those subjects in which we 
jTe so much under the influence of interest, 
,nd habit, that it is impossible for us to decide 
lirly. The truly enlightened philosopher, 
oaring above human prejudices, Vv ill consid- 
r it with sceptical feelings, while to those w ho 
re immersed in the universal cloud of igno- 
ance, such a proposition would be locled up- 
•n with indifference, or treated with ridicule, 
'ould the poor brutes be allowed to have a 
oice on this subject, they would certainly pro- 
dunce their treatment tyrannical and unjust, 
'ould they be supposed to have any know- 



( ^02 ) 

ledge of the relation of things they would cer- 
tainly look upon us with the same feelings 
and abhorence, with which we look upon th( 
tyr^int who riots in human blood. 

There is one reflection however that migh 
lead us to believe, that in exercising the do 
minion which we hold over inferior animals 
we only act within the limits which the a] 
mighty seems to have prescribed for us, ant 
to have followed the course which his provi 
dence has pointed out. For reasons on! 
known to the adorable creator, it seems to b 
a law throughout the creation, that one clae 
of animals should serve as food for anothe 
class. This is evinced not only from a pr( 
pensity to pursue their prey, but by the pre 
perties which each possess for the executio 
of their purpose. 

How far this reasoning miy be conclusiv* 
I pretend not to ScT, but if inferior anima 
were intended for our use, it certainly do< 
not follow that we are authorized to tre 
them in a tyrannical manner. \[ we act irj co: 
foi mity to the design of the Almighty, ihe 
captivity may be rendered to them a blessin 
rather than a curse. We should make u 



I 



' ( 203 ) 

i 

f our power to protect, and not to oppress 
lem. Surely if we enjoy the benefit of their 
ibour, it is the least that we can do to treat 
lem with kindness. Why should not a good 
laster feel the same sentiments towards his 
omestick animals, which a good prince does 
awards his people? Who does not feel a 
riendship for a good horse, or faithful dog ? 
irVho feels not gratitude when he looks upon 
he patient laborious ox, that tills his field, 
^hile perhaps he reposes under the shade, 
hd enjoys the goodly scene? But ah! sacred 
jOd, with what indescribable emotions has 

I 

wy heart been oppressed, when I have seen 
he tyrant man, exercise his cruelty over his 
lelpless domesiicks: and I would not part 
vith these feelings for all the wealth, and pow- 
tof the world. Oh man, thinkest thou not 
iiat thou wilt have to account for thy cruelty, 
efore die tribunal of heaven ? Thinkest thou 
hjt thy poor domesticks, who toil for thy 
;upi ort, are susceptible of no feeling, or enti- 
led to no gratitude ? Cowardly man! 'tis 
hine to exercise power with boundless des- 
potism wheiT it is given thee, and to slirink 







( 204 ) 

from it with debasing submission, when ex- 
ercised over thyself. 

I have been led into these reftections, from 
a scene to which I have lately been a specta- 
tor, and which to my feelings, is little inferior 
in atrocity to the spectacle of the roman glad, 
iators. The practice I allude to is very com. 
mon in this country, and particularly in Vir- 
ginia, and is here called amusement, Thij 
amusement consists in matching two cocks, 
with sharp pointed irons so fixed to their legs 
as to wound each other at every flutter, anc 
the owier of him who kills the other, wins the 
wager. This barbarous practice general!) 
continues the whole day, and sometimes foi 
several (lays together. I was at one of those 
spectacles, but never \\ ish to be at another, 
both on account of my ietlings for the agonj 
which the poor animals seemed to endure, 
and my burning inc'it^nation against the sav^ 
age joy, \\ ; i^h the cruel and cowardly spec- 
tators tvince. Th'. high spirited animajj 
panting, for l«reath, sulTocatcd v.ith heat, anc 
almost choak.ed with bjwici, ^re looked upor 
with no other letling but a vehement c'csIk 
for a coiiliiiiiation of the battle. At eveiy 



( 205 ) 

wound there is an infernal shout. The ffreat 
Washington did not feel more joy upon the 
happy result of a battle which he conceived 
tended to promote the future independence 
and happiness of his country, than on these 
occasions do those wretches evince in winning 
a few sordid dollars. True it is, my friend, 
that my feelings were precisely those which I 
should have felt, had I ever been present at an 
ante de foe. When I heard the tumultuous 
shouts of the spectators, my heart died within 
me. When I looked round and saw the stu- 
pid and savage joy displayed in every look and 
every word, I scarcely knew whether I was 
among human beings or brutes. In vain did 
I look for one solitary individual whose sar- 
ness of countenance indicated a soul that could 
weep at human degradation, and whom per- 
haps I should at the moment have clasped to 
my heart, and expressed the feelings which 
agitated my boosom. Ah! sacred God, all 
the pride of bf^ing a member of the human 
species vanished like a dream, and I felt noth- 
ing but shame and indignation. I kfc the 
r| scene to those who had hv:a! ts capable of en- 
joying it ; I plunged into the depiiis oi a grove, 



^ 206 ' 



and shed a torrent of tears over the calioub and 
cruel disposition of man, and the cloud of 
prejudice in which the human species arc 
enveloped. 

It is a hiippy considt ration oh! thou en- 
lightened and universal friend of all that was | 
born to feel, that I am addressing myself to 
thee, whose heart has ever beat in unison w i h 
my own, and from whom I received the fn st 
impressions of virtue I ever recollect to have 
felt. I would not for the world that this let- 
ter should be seen by the people of this 
country, not because it exhibits any trait of 
their character in an erroneous light, but be- 
cause the limit of their sordid feelings could 
not comprehend it. 1:1 ven thy genius soaring 
above all earthly prejudices, would not be 
able to bring them to a knowledge of thtir 
frailties, or exhibit a picture which could ' 
strike them with remorse. In vain is it to 
plead humanity to a tyrant. In vain is it to 
talk of sounds to the deaf, or colours to the 

blind. 

I repeat that my soul feels an efflux of joy 

in imparting my feelings to thee who cun re- 
cognize in thtm thy pupil, and they oiily flow 



it 



( 207 ) 

hack lo the source from whence diey came. 
How furtunate is it, O bountiful Providence! 
that I V. as born in the distant empire of China, 
for iij)on no other part of the globe probably 
should I ha\e ever met with so divine an in- 
structor. How often have v»e asce'nded to- 
irether tlie iofiv mountains of Kamsi, where 
elevated above the surface of the earth, our 
souls seen:i cquallv elevated, and uhere 
ami(!st aricient spreading oaks and craggy 
rocks, we spent the day in celestial contem- 
plairon. How oiten have I there canght with 
enthusiasm the sublime flights of your Heaven 
bora Genius, and at other times been melted 
hy the tranquil but no less delicious tone of 
your sentiments. These, these were precious 
moments indeed. I dwelt i^pon their recollec- 
tion with fond delight and lingering satisfac- 
tion. ?.hiv the care of Heaven dwell around 
liim to \vhom I am indebted for all T possess, 
and all I en jov, and once more I bid you adieu. 



^^ 



( 208 ) 



LETTER XVIII. 



I MF.KiioNED in a former letter the reli- 
£>-ious freedom tliat is enjoyed in this country. 
You may here witness, in one day the worship 
of the various religion of ahnost every other 
country. I lately took an excursion with my 
friend Appolcnius, to indulge my curiosity 
in tliis wa}'. My first adventure was at a 
Protestant church. This is the established 
church of England, and has more followers 
here than any other. I was much gratified 
in c^bserxiiig tlie various movements I saw, 
Lut as I had no knowledge of them myself, I 
tC'ok care only to do as 1 saw others do, and 
paiticiiiarly my com.panion, Vvho promised to 
be my guide on this occasion. The parson 
V. as elevated in a pulpit which overlooked his 
congregation, was dressed in black, and appear- 
ed very grave and solemn. With respect to the 
ivlic'ious demeanour of the audience, \^ ithout 



I 



# 



( 209 ) 

approving or condemning in the mass, I will 
only observe, that there prevailed a great di- 
versity of behaviour. Some seemed to be 
seriously impressed with the purpose of the 
meetins^, and perfectly attentive to whatever 
the parson spoke or read, and others seemed 
-to be wholly engaged in adjusting their dress, 
looking about for pretty faces or new fashions, 
or arresting the timid glances of persons of 
cin opposite sex. When the parson prayed, 
some descended on their knees, which seemed 
both natural and devout, but others, afraid of 
j fatigue or of soiling their dress, contented 
themselves with leaning on their arm, or of 
turning and looking out at the window. In 
the mere forms, hov\'ever, they were pretty 
regular. Tiiey rose with one impulse, and sat 
down with one consent. When the parson 
jehearsed a psalm such I suppose as could 
sing gave their aid, and such as could not read 
it in their books. A great number, however, 
did not conform even to these rules, and seve- 
ral seemed so little interested in what was 
.passing, that they could hardly keep from 
falling asleep. The duties of the parson were 

successively different. He sometimes uttered 

s 2 



( 210 ) 

a prayer, sometimes rehearsed a song, and 
sometimes read from his bible. These histo- 
rical sketches were, it seems, of transacti(jns 
which took place two thousand years ago 
among the Jews and Egyptians, and \\hich 
might be true, but I could not tell in what 
respect they tended to make the present gene- 
ration cither wiser or better. Thou must 
naturally wish to hear some account of the 
religious lecture that was delivered, but this 
also turned on matters which I couid not un- 
derstand in any rational light, nor do I believe 
could the parson himself. The subject was 
the coming of Christ, his sufferings, and the 
means thence held out for the salvation of the 
Vv'orld. These the preacher told us very 
gravely were mysteries, and 1 confess they 
\vere such to me; nor did his explanations ' 
tend, in any respect, to remove them, but 
rather involve them in still farther difficulty. 

My next adventure was at a meeting of the 
society of Friends. This is the only religious 
i^ect 1 have ever heard of that have wholly dis- 
carded those superstitious ceremonies which, 
in every age and natioUj seem to have been 
taken for religion itself.... they appear even to 



( 211 ) 

have gone on ihe other extreme, and to hav-e 
discarded forms which seem natural and pro- 
per.... they have no pulpit, no select preach, 
ers, no prayers.... they meet together neither 
to hear nor to speak, but to retlecl....they sit 
in an unchanging position, with their eyes 
fixed to the earth.... they never rise to speak, 
except when they conceive they are under the 
influence of a divine spirit, nor continue when 
this influence has subsided. Sometimes the 
men speak and sometimes the women : some- 
times their discourse consists of a single sen- 
tence, and sometimes continues for half an 
hour, but they generally endeavour to express 
iLt'ir ideas in as few words as possible. When 
their meeting is over, they shake hands with 
each other and depart. 

Tlie manners of this sect are verv similar 
to thtir religious habits. They are friendly 
and familiar among each other, and their ac- 
quaintances ; but not officious in their servi- 
ces to persons of a different religious denomi- 
nation, or to strangers. Religious persecution 
is foreign to their disposition, and they equal- 
ly reject it themselves, and despise it in others. 
They are the most methodical people in the 



( 212 ) 

world, observe exact justice to all, and re- 
quire the sarFie from others ; always propor- 
tion their expcnces to their incon^iC ; are fond 
of conveniences, but lit; le smitten with iuxu» 
ries ; resrular and industrious in their ovv n 
concerns, but selc'.om interfering in those of 
others. They -are fond of gain and through 
their industry and economy, they are often 
very rich but for the same reason they are 
seldom ever poor, seldom involved in difficul- 
ties, and never found in a jail. Their dress is 
plain and uniform, and equally divested of os- 
tentatious pride, and slovenly indecency. 
The character of these people upon the whole 
is good, but not without its defects. While 
they have rejected the ostentatious expences 
of the rest of the world, they hiave also rejected 
their innocent amusements, and while they 
have discarded their conipllmental ceremonies, 
they have also discarded their civilities. 
They take little part in the noisy scenes of 
politicks, or the flying political rumours of the 
day. They seem to live in a woi Id of their 
own, and though they are friendly to one ano- 
tlier, their carriage towards others has an un- 
sociable, if not a selfish cast. 



( 213 ) 

My next visit was to a church of the Cath- 
olick faith. Here I was struck with a thou- 
sand odd ceremonies. On the wall, in front 
of the congregation, is a represeatation of 
Christ expiring in tortures on a cross. To- 
^vards which the Bishop advances in a reveren- 
tial manner, with a bucket of insence in his 
hand, continually swinging it backwards and 
forwards, while the rising vapours that fill the 
house, often occasion a disagreeable smell. 
Sometimes he advances towards the sepulchre, 
representing that of Christ, and opening the 
door where he is supposed to asceiid ; he 
raises his hands and eyes, in a posture of ap- 
pai'ent adoration of the mercy of God. There 
are various ceremonies, which it is needless 
to relate* The dress of the minister is rather 
ostentatious than solemn, but the subject and 
manner of preaching is similar to that of the 
Protestant minisiers. Their liturgy also ap- 
peared tabe somewhat similar except that their 
prayers and psalms are sometimes written in 
Latin. 

My next adventure w^as at a Methodist 
meeting. This sect maintains the necessity of 
^ total change of nature in every j^uccessful 



( 214 ) 

candidate ibr Christianity, ^vhich thcv say can- 
not take place but through divir:e interposi- 
tion, and a deep felt repentence for past sin?. 
They blame tine ministers of the hioh churches 
for being too lukewarm in the auful duty ot 
the conversion of souls. Their conduct is con- 
sistent with these tenets. At tlie meethig [ 
visited, sev^eral preachers succeederl, and each 
seemed to excel the preceeding in violence 
of manner and ardour of exhortation. The 
orator appeared sometimes ahnost exhausted 
by the violent eX:ertion of his lungs and mo- 
tion of his limbs, but draining breath, and 
wiping the falling sweat away from his face, 
he ever began the attack with increasing 
ardour. The shortness of life, the necessiiy 
of repentence, the yawning grave, and the 
flames of Hell had an effect on the deluded 
hearers, which no rational eloquence could 
have produced. Groans, cries, clapping of 
hands, resounded from every part of the house. 
Some falling on tlie floor and imploring the 
forgiveness of God for their hedious and ma- 
nifold crimes, and all was urroar and confu- 
sion. The preacher gratified and even trans- 
ported with the sight, would involuntarily 






( 215 ) 

leave the rostrum mix among the truiibpoitcd 
congregation^ encourage their repentance, ad- 
minister comfort, and return thanks to God 
for so plentiful a shower of grace. When 
matters were a lictie subsided, the experience 
of the repr:nting candidates for heaven, were 
heard by the preacher, when he expressed his 
hopes tiiat they were worth} of the pardon of 
(tjod, and exhorted them to persevere in the 
course they had began. The meeting closed 
.with prayers and several songs of praise to the 
diety in which all united their voice, in one 
lofiy, loud, and rapturous swell, accompanied 
with a corresponding clapping of hands. 



f 216 ) 



LETTER XIX, 



I STATED in a former letter that the par- 
ty called Federalists, and a large portion of the 
mercantile part of the community, looked 
forward to the next session of Congress, in 
hopes the embargo w ould then be repealed. 
This session has arrived, and is now nearly 
closed. At its commencement several pro- 
positions for repealing the embargo were of- 
fered by difTercnt n>ttmbers. The question 
gave rise to long discussion. ..every resource 
of invective and argument was exercised by 
both parties, and it was at last carried in the 
affirmative. In the early part of the session, 
this result was not expected, the proposition 
seemed however to gain ground, but even at 
last the issue of it excited some degree of as- 
tonishment. One thing might have had an 
influence, on the legislature in finally decide- 
ing on this subject, which did not operate at 



. ( "217 ) 

the beginning of the session. A report be- 
gan to circulate which was believed by some, 
and feared by others, that the people would 
not submit to the pressure of the embargo, 
and that if not repealed it would occasion a 
revolt of the eastern from the western states. 
This rumour was repeated on the floor of 
congress, as an alarming symptom of the dis- 
content oF the people, and no doubt had an in- 
fluence on their proceeding. Another subject 
of eitibarrassment was, the difficulty, if not 
the impossibility of the putting the embargo 
law in complete operation. From the time it 
Wifs passed to the time it v^as repealed, it was 
frequently violuted, and u-hen a proposition 
for applying a remedy to the evil was made 
in congress, it appeared to be attended with 
so many difficulties as to be almost insur- 
mountable. 

Tliouii-h the embarp'o is raised there are 
Still left many obs^ructibiirs to commerce. 
Previous ti> its repfcii an act was passed pro- 
'hii)ltin£i: all iiTtercou sc between the United 
-Si-.i^es, ujid F; :n"r, airl Britain, or their de- 
pendancies. Tnis ^.\ \ p^enerally speaking, 
is perhaps rather (L :ted to exclude f^^ieign 



( 218 ) 

merchandise, than to prevent the exportation 
of country produce, and afford to the United 
States the means ol getting rid of their super- 
fluities, but not of supplying their \vants. 
Britain and some other countries, with whom 
^his law prohibits an intercourse^ are those 
from which the United States have been large- 
ly and regularly supplied with articles which 
thev have not been in the habit of manufac- 
luring, and of which they are now in want. 
A portion of that stock which was imported 
previous to the embargo still remains, a par- 
tial supply has been obtained since, by evade- 
ing the embargo, and some feeble exertions 
have been made to establish domestick man- 
ufactures, but this has not prevented foreign ;. 
merchandize from diminishijig in quantity, 
and rising in price, and unless some unexpec- 
ted change should lake place, it \\\\\ continue- 
to be more and more the case. W iih respect 
to the means which the people have for ex- 
porting their oun productions, the non-intcr- ' 
course law has left countries, aiid islands 
enough for this purpose. Among these are 
a few countries on the continent of Europe, 
and the Spanish, Portugue, and some other 



( 219 ) 

islands of the West Indies. Immediately af- 
ter the embargo was raised, a great quantit)^ 
oiffljurand other articles, were seat to these 
islands, and though a direct trade with those 
under the dominion of France and Britain is 
prohibited, it is probable they found means of 
supplying themselves from the same stock. 
With respect to the articles which have been 
shipped to the belligerent powers, as cotton, 
flax-seed, tobacco and some others, dicre must 
. probably remain in the United States, a su- 
; pet-fiuity, unless they are obtained in those 
countries, in which they have been consumed 
throusrh a circuitous channel. 

In the present perplexed state of the na- 
tional affliirs of this country, the legislature 
are under great embarrassment to determine 
whatpourse to pursue. To declare war would 
be precipitate, and to submit to their injuries 
would be degrading. Many propositions 
have been made, but none afford any remedy 
for the evil : much discussion has taken place 
but nothing has been done. After many 
inquiries, in wliich the wrongs and injuries of 
their country were constantly echoed, they 
have agreed to adjonrn until May. What 



( 220 ) 

changes they then expect will liave taken 
phice, or a\ hat nieasuies they then pro- 
pose to adopt, I ani at a loss to inu'gine. I 
am incliried to behve they will fine! thcniselyes 
in the same predicament then, in which they 
are now. 

A proposition was made during the present 
session to take ofT all restrictions on com- 
merce, and allow thefnercantile commur.ity to 
aim their yessels for defending their trade, but 
this proposition, like the rest, has been reject- 
ed. It was belieyed by some that the profits 
that accrued to the m.erchants, from their 
trade, would not justify the expence of these 
equipments, and the hazzard of defence, and 
that consecjuently the law v^ouId not be carried 
into complete execution ; but admitting that it 
should, the co; 'sequences were dreaded. It was 
Rared that the measure would shut the door to 
'future neeoclation and ullimatelv invohe a 
war, thatfiom the use of diis priyiledge giyen 
to American merchant yessels, they >vould pro- 
ceed to the abuse of it ; and from acts of de- 
fence to acts of hostility ; and that the United 
States would thus invite the hostility and de- 



( 221 ) 

predations of her enemy on an dement in 
which she was strons^ and herself weak. 

Formerly this country appealed to think, 
j that the fate of every other depended on her 
and were su tained bf h'ef productions, but 
now she begins to feel her dependence on 
them, and the want of their merchandize. — 
j Formerly she thought that withholding from 
the belligerent nations her commerce, would 
soon compel them to render her justice^ but 
now she finds that this measure operates less 
i on her enemies than on herself, and dispairing 
to derive from it any benefit, has been glad 
to get rid of its evils. As her general situa- 
tion is perplexed, so her relation with each of 
the belligerents is equally critical : to take any" 
part in the cause of Britain would involve her 
in a v^'ar with France, and to take any part in 
the cause of France woukl involve her in a w^ar 
with Britain. Discussions have been penciing 
for several years wiui both of the belligerent 
nations, particularly Britain, sometimes on 
this side of the water and sometimes the other, 
but they have all ended in smokt-, iwxd matters 
remain in the same posture now liiat they did 

at the commencement of negociation. VVhen- 

1 2 - 



1 



( 222 ) 

ever a new minister or fresh instructions ar- 
rive either in Britain or America, a thousand 
reports of a new and happy change are imme- 
diately in circulation, but as soon as the cor- 
respondence is officially disclosed, the gloomy 
contrast bet^veen report and reality is perceiv- 
ed. To the first difficulties new ones have 
been added, and in the midst of negociation 
fresh subjects of negociation have arisen. 



I! 



( 223 ) 



LETTER XX. 



The equal distribution of property in this 
country, affords a very pleasing spectacle to a 
benevolent traveller. Extreme affluence and 
extreme poverty are in a great degree unknown. 
There exists neither haughty airs among one 
j class, nor servile adulation among another. 
T here are few dressed in rags, and still fewer 
in gold lace ; and you have to encounter nei- 
ther the imperious frowns of the lord, nor the 
doleful petitions of the beggar. But thou must 
jiot infer from these reflections, that all dis- 
tinctions of rank are levelled to the ground. 

When I speak of the equality of rank and 
possession, I view this country in a relacire 
point of view with those of Europe, but when 
1 descend into detail, I find a thousand excep- 
tiops to the position. In every age and every 
country, these distinctions not only exist, but 
stand high in the estimation of men ; and the 



( 224 > 

country, where the contrary is supposed to J 
take place, is the mere c ffspring of imagina- 
tion. All mankind -cannot be philosophers.... 
even in the philosopher there is often to be 
observe-] a striking contrast between his 
words and actions ; and though lie declaims 
against the insignificance of riches and rank 
in his closet, yet when he mixes in the world 
he shows he has the same partialities with the 
rest of his species. Perhaps by means of the 
very book in which he endeavours to show the 
emptiness of riches, and the harmlessness of 
poverty, he expects to obtain a share of the 
former, and relieve himself from the embar- 
rassments of the latter. 

When we hear a nation praising itself as 
the only one in the world where all distinc- 
tions are banished, except those of merit, we 
may mark it down as the empty vauntings of 
national egotism. Should we expect to find 
a country where the distinctions of property 
and rank are unknown, we must not look for 
it in any portion of the civilized world, but 
among nations immersed in barbarity. When 
I look around on this country, 1 find a thou- 
sand proofs of this position, and a thousand 



(• 225 ) 

contradictions of what the people affirm of 
themselves. Their national pride has led them 
to have their capital and president's house both 
large and splendid, when a much coarser one 
would have answered as well with half the ex- 
pence. Indeed, in all those traits of pride and 
pomp, which are inseparable from civihzation, 
I find little difference between this country 
and those of Europe. Thus, for instance, 
i their actors on the stage are fond of mimicking 
great characters, however diminutive they 
mav be themselves, and I am told sometimes 
quarrel for the preference in this particu- 
lar. Their rich men driving by a poor man 
who pulls off his liat to them, may, it is true, 
give him a nod of their head, but it would 
give them little concern, should tbtcir horses 
besplatter the poor man over with mud. Gold 
or silver used in furniture or dr^ss, is not ad- 
mired so much for its beauty as for its cost, 
unless it can be said that its cost make it ap- 
pear more beautiful. A wide distinction 
therefore must be made between the equality 
of political priviledges, and the :nherent adora- 
tion which men are accustomed to pay to rank. 



( 226 ) 

This country has made rapid advances iu 
the mor.e splendid arts of civilized life since 
the revolution, and particularly within a few 
years back. The stile of their equipage, fur- 
niture, and dress, is greatly improved, and 
many luxuries introduced which were for- 
merly unknown. Where the productions of fj 
their own coui try, or the workmanship of 
their own ingenuity has not pleased, those of 
other countries have been sought for and ob- 
tained. Brick houses have taken place of 
wooden ones, mahogany tables are substituted 
for oak ones, silver spoons for pewter, China 
ware for English, and European broadcloth 
for homespun. Formerly the people valued 
their gardens principally for their vegetables ; 
but now they begin to pay some attention to 
the arrangement of flowers, trees, and shrubs. 
Formerly the arts of architecture, sculpture, 
painting, and engraving, were ahriost un- 
known, or executed in a miseralile stile ; but 
now^ their artists in these branches beerin to 
vie with those of Europe. The education of 
t)oth male and female is greatly enlarged and 
improved, and the latter are better instructed 
now than the former were before the revolu- 



( 227 *) 

tion. Reading, writing, and cyphering were 
once thought sufficient for them ; but now 
they are instructed in drawing, musick- and 
several modern languages, as well as dancing, 
and their personal carriage. With these im- 
provements of civilization, its attendant vices 
have also been introduced. The French 
dresses and manners have in a considerable 
degree been transplanteci to this countrjr. The 
dress and manners of the men are fopish and 
often ridiculous.... those of the w^omen allu- 
ring rather than captivating. It seems to be 
more cons:enial to their taste to attract the 
attention of all, than to secure the respect of a 
few, or the love of one. Empty compliments 
arc exchanged in profusion, and devoured 
with avidity. If paint and wigs are not so 
common now as formerly, it is only because 
they happen not to be in fashion. Both co- 
quets and fops are more numerous now than 
iibrmerlj'. 

One cursed effect of the progress for 
civilization is to envelope the heart of man in 
culous pride, to induce him to look up with 
reverence to the splendour of rank, and to pass 
by an unfortunate fellow creature borne down 
with years, shivering in cold, or pinched with 



( 2-2B ) 

hunger, with a pitiless eye, and notwithstand- 
ing all the declamations of these people, 
about liberty and equality, and their regard 
for the cries of humanity, I do nqt find them 
exempt from this hateful trait. I do not find 
their words and actions to correspond. In 
every country of Europe through which I have 
successively passed, 1 have ever heard ready and 
plausible excuses for their contempt of the 
unfortunate poor. It is natural indeed for 
men to seek to hide their humanity ; it is. 
easy for them to talk in this way who cannot 
talk in any other ; but to nit even the weak- 
ness of humanity, the sigli of compassion, and 
the tear of sympathy, has ever been a welcome 
and a heart levi'. i: g sight. A poor un- 
fortuiuUe bciiig(uho has perhops seen better 
days) conu-s to the door of a rich man and 
implores a shelter i'o- iLc i ii',lit, aid a morsel 
of br aC' ; but the proud man so lar from re- 
lievinp- hischstress. is r( adv to iriitate"^ it by 
inso!ci\ce ; so i^a ii»/i>i g..'-'iL^ Ms humble 
petition, that wi*h hi ugl ty irowiv^ar;d imperi- 
ous threads he drives him out to the mercy ol 
the stomi. W iitii I ;et tl t-e ihii c'>., cm Z 
longer pric-e n.y^e:!" iabt big a member of the 
human species r Oh nol 



( 229 ) 

But to returh from this digression. I before 
mentioned the progress which these people 
have, within a few years, made in the arts of 
civilization; but this position must only be 
taken within certain hmitations. There is a 
great difference between the stile of building, 
the farnirure, the dress, and the manners of 
the people of the city and the people of the 
country. In cities superior workmen are em- 
ployed, and the latest improvements adopted ; 
in the country their chief object is to engage 
workmen whose terms are chcaj), and V ry 
often employ their own servants ; and having 
little taste for elegance, and little knowledgq 
of lute improvements, they cannot adopt ti-em. 
it is sufficient that their houses and their iur- 
nitiiie are as good as t^-ose of tiiLir neigh- 
bours, wiihout emulating the fashions ot ihc 
city. '1 he farmer spends the principal of his 
time in riding or uaiking over his plantation, 
consuiiing w iih his overseer and giving orders 
to his scivanlb, but de. votes a small portion of 
ii to siuciy, txcept h Ue to ieacl his newspaper. 
To iiiin aii) t-xLiaordinary phaenomenon of 
nature is a buljcct oi iu jtiitr vvondtr nor spe- 

cuiauoii. 'I iic matron i(;ui;s over the euiti- 

u 



( 230 } 

vation of her garden, the cutting up of hci; 
meat, aid the work of her kitchen, and sorrie- 
times gives an aid herself, but thinks little of 
parties, visits, or the fashions of the day. The 
whole family generally dress in homespun ; ^ 
and if they wear the dress of foreign manufac^ 
ture it is only when they go to church, to a 
country dairce, or visit a neighbour. The 
young ladies, so far from learning modem 
languages, few of tliem understand their ow n 
grammatically. They know nothing of the prin- 
ciples of musick ; and thouijh rhty \\ili sirg 
you a song, they can seldom perform (.n any 
instrumeni....they krjow somethir.g of draw'- 
ing, and the elegance of needle work, but they 
acquire it from the instructions of iheir parents 
or their neighbour associates, and noi from 
boarding schools. l\rsons of both sexes aie 
mote healthy, more biooming than those of 
ci ies ; but they want thatdigTiiiy of Cririige, 
vivacity of expression, and that ease and j.:race 
of manner vrhich distinguish thelatttr. When 
they are visited by persons from the tOun or 
the city, pariicularly if of some rank, ifty 
seem to feel it a grtat honour ; and whiie they 
ciiucavour to a^-pcar to the best ad van 'age and 



( 231 ) 

receive their visitors in the best stile, thcv ex- 
hibit that diffidence, simplicity, and innocence 
which at once excites our lo\e and our pity. 
In the exterior parts of the country the arts 
of civilization prevail in a less degree. Those 
who remove thither do it from deliberate mo- 
tives of gain.... they are vvilhng to give up ele- 
gance for profit ; and to leave their friends and 
ficquaint'ances provided by the removal, they 
can becjueath individually to their children a 
larger share of prope-ty. Here they have 
neither the workmen nor the materials to buikl 
in an elegasit stile* Architecture is an art of 
which they know as little as they do of the 
structure of the Universe, or the order and 
motions of the solar system. In the hurry of 
the;T removal too they have not the time to 
build on an extensive plan or in an elegant 
stile. Profit and convenience dictate a coarse 
and cominon plan, and the example of those 
v> ho are settled is not calculated to stimulate 
their ambition for any other. Generally the 
landed possessions of the inhabitants are im- 
mense , but the greater part is overrun with 
wilderi^ess, and but a small portion cleared : 
the former yields plenty of game, the latter an 



( 232 ) 

abundant crop, but exhibits little of the art of 
cultivation, or the in)provements of fancy. — 
Their business is rather that of cutting down 
u iidernesses and clearing up swamps, than of 
attending to the laborious niceties of cultiva- 
tion, or the arrangement of fiov\ ers, trees, and 
shrubs* Very often the house is almost en- 
tirely surrounded with wood, and where you 
may hear through the gloom of night the iox^ 
the owl, and the whipperwill. Towns are 
extremely dispersed, and in some parts en- 
tirely unknown.... those which you may now 
and then meet with, are small, remote from 
commerce, and built in the coarsest stile. — 
'Ihis want of navigation and commerce is one 
great inconvenience of the exterior parts of the 
country, and one great obstacle to their settle- 
m.ent. In the present state of this country, the 
pursuits of agriculture and ecmme'ce are es- 
stntial-y cor.nected ; and neither can exist 
without the other. The richness and cheap-, 
ness of land in many of the exterior parts are, 
indeed, allurhig, but when those who would 
remove, take into consideration the want of 
commerce, there is scarcely sufficient induce- 
ment for them to change their situation. The 



( 233 ) 

soil yields a rich crop ; but the difficulty of 
getting it to market is great, and the price 
scant) and precarious. The people are, ne- 
vertheless, independent, arid dity are less lia- 
ble to be affected by national vicissitudes than 
the people of the cast. They raise abundance 
of the necessaries of life, and having litde 
knowledge of its luxuiies, they are content. 
Tiie waring apparel which the more commer- 
cial parts of the country receive from pAirope, 
those make for themselves.... thty are at once 
farmers and manufacturers, and equally mas- 
ters of the plough and the shutde. With 
respect to education, their mental powers lie 
dormant, and their curiosity has never been 
awakened to the cliarms of literature. Learn- 
ing, among the higher class, is held in little 
estimation ; and the information of the lower 
snd middle classes is extremely rude and 
scantv. I have heard, if I mistake not, of a 
member of a legislature of one of the states, 
who, while he was sent to represent the dis- 
trict of his constituents, took the opportunity 
to learn those common riidinients of ^ihich his 
father failed to instruct him when young ; and 

2 IT 



( 234 ) 

instead of making laws, turned his attention t(^ 
leaijilng to lead and write. This individual 
instance, however, is not to be taken as a ge- 
neral reflection. 



( 235 > 



LETTER XXL 



My friend Appolonius lately came to my 
lodgings ; when I observed in his features an 
unusual expression of melancholy and discon- 
tent. I was surprised at this change, for he 
had always saluted me with a smiling counte- 
nance, and cheerful disposition ; and imme- 
diately concluded that something had hap- 
pened to him, that his fortune had suffered a 
wreck, or that some disaster had befallen his 
family or connections. I had already drawn 
my chair towards him without perceiving it ,' 
and with my eyes fixed in his countenance 
began to inquire what w^as the matter. '* My 
concern** says he *' is not for any thing that 
has happened to myself, but I feel for my be- 
loved country. I have just come from the 
coffee house, and find, from the papers that 
all our friendly propositions to the belligerent 
powers of Europe have been rejected ; gladly 



:{ 236 ) 

would I hope for a favourabfe change, but alas ! 
what have we to expect from natloiio \ ho have 
long discar -ed all regard to justice, who actu- 
ated by an inextinguishable hatred of each 
other care not \\hat injury they inflict on neu- 
tral nations, even though they should them- 
selves suffer by it. Oh ! what an age is it in 
which we live ! The art c>f v»ar is all that en- 
gages the attention of infatuated Europe, and 
he who can destroy most of his fellow men is 
locked upon as their greatest benefactor. Xhe 
waters no longer unite nations in commerce, 
but are converted into a scene of mutual des- 
truction. Armed vessels are substituted for 
merchant vessels ; and cannon, powder, and 
bullets for those articles which Vvcrc formerly 
exchanged for the maitual support and comfort 
of mankind. The United States has been the 
only assylum of peace and justice, and it seems 
that we are now to be involved in the con- 
vulsions of the rest of the world." 

After hearing this oration I took the oppor- 
tunity of stating an opinion on which I had at 
other times had some conversation va i h my 
companion. If such be the state of the world, 
I observed, would it not be better for your 



( 237 ) 

country to renounce external commerce and 
encourage: domestick manufactures: to depend 
on your own industry and resources, and not 
on that precarious intercourse with other na- 
tions which cannot be maintained without in- 
volving you in war or sacrificing important 
privi ledges. 

*' Everything" replied Appolonius ** that 
can promote the general interest of my coun- 
try is dear to my heart, but I confess I cannot 
agree with you in what you have stated. It 
may be specious in theory, but should it be 
put in execution it would occasion a stagna- 
tion of trade, and a distress of which we can, 
at this time, form but a faint conception. Agri- 
culture and commerce have t\er been the 
principal, and favourite pursuits of this coun- 
try, and ever since the revolution they have 
been coutinually increasing. Fvery other 
branch is connected wdth them, and every na- 
tional improvement has grown out of them. 
Our commercial towns have rapidly increased 
both in number and size, and our commer- 
cial shipping in an equal degree. Our farmers 
have CO- operated in the same scheme ; they 
have laid off their farms in such a manner as 



{ 238 ) 

the established system required, and cultivated 
such produce as the markets called for. Com- 
merce is the main spring which has given 
motion to the machine. And should this 
spring be broken, v^hat will be the conse- 
quence ? There would be a stagnatio^i of trade 
and general distress among the people. Our 
towns if they did not fall into ruins, would rap- 
idly decline, and the value of the property be 
greatly reduced. Our merchants would sec 
their business expire, \a hile they had neither 
the skill nor the inclination to pursue another. 
Our farmers would be compelled to alter the 
plan of their inclosures, and at a loss what ar- 
ticles, or w^hat quantity x>f each to cultivate. 
Our sailors, our ship carpenters, and m»any 
other classes of men, whose business depend 
on commerce, must [)e throAvn out of employ- 
ment, and in want of bread.... As a friend to 
my country, I could never wish to see it re- 
duced to this wTCtched situation. 

I am inclined to believe, replied I, that 
thou hast greatly exaggerated those evils 
from attributing too many advantages to com- 
merce. Agriculture, and not commerce is the 
real source of the A'lealth of a nation ; and 



( 259 ) 

the former can flourish without the latter, but 
the latter cannot flourish without the former. 
A nation possessed of an extensive and fertile 
country, may combine her other pursuits as 
circumstances may render necessar} , and still 
live independently and happily. Should this 
country submit to this happy revolution, the 
people would not be thrown out of employ, 
ment, but would only, in some respects, have 
to change their business. As one pursuit 
was abolished, another would take place ; and 
those who were thrown out of employment in 
the former, would find eipployment in the 
latter. Domestick manufactures would arise 
in place of those wljich supplied } ou from 
Europe ; and before the stock imj^orted from 
the latter was exhausted, you v\ould he abun- 
dantly suj)plied from the former. Your far- 
mers would cultivate the same ground with 
the same u ensils, but they would rear 
less of that produce whicii has hereto- 
fore been exported, and moie of those 
articles which would be waniuii^ for in- 
teiiial manufactures. Ywur mercimnts mi^ht 
be induced to renounce their farmer pursuits, 
but so far from being at a loss for objects to 



( 240 ) 

employ their capites!, there would even be u 
field open for enterprize. 1 his class of the 
community, who formerly had their property 
plundered on the ocean by the enemies of ihcir 
country, would now see their canitat vested in ^ 
manufactories, under then .riiiiie..iaie inspec- 
tion, and equally advantageous to tlumseives 
and iheit" country. \v nh respect to persons 
who might want emploviiiwu I, i cannot but 
think that they might generally meet vuih it 
in some line or otner, and those who should 
not be qualified for one pursuit, mighi be 
qualified for another. Thus the revoiulion 
would be gradual and not violent, and though 
former pursuits woidd be abotisii%M dau new. 
ones introcluced, it would be ^difiiGult to teil 
wiiere the one ended or the other begun. The 
machine of }our nati(>nal ali<)i?s mrght suffer 
a temporary derangement, but Ji *; ouid ><;Oon 
rccoxer itb harn'.uny and regularity of motion. 
** To view an undertakinp- iv ^heorv '' re- 
plied my companion, ** and u joui^cer it 
in praciice, oiitn prove to be extremely dif^ 
ferent ; and vvhile die ir.ventiv Ladily 

supplies every dtfcct in die L-)^L cai»r, ;e 

overwhelmed in difiicuity an . f. 



ii 



( 241 ) 

in the other. The most ingenious are often 
in this respect like the fabulous account of the 
person who imagined he could make wings by 
which he could soar above the earth ; and 
when he had finished his task, he ascended to 
a height where he took his leap, but instead 
of his imaginary flight, soon found himself 
overwhelmed in the waters of a lake that lay 
beneath him. Our country has heretofore 
been engaged in certain pursuits on an exten. 
sive plan. The majority of those engaged 
in them, have in the early part of their lives 
served a regular apprenticeship to their respec- 
tive callings, to gain a competent knowledge 
of them, and all have been compelled to de- 
vote to them a certain desrree of time and atten- 
tion. Wnat is to become of these numerous 
citizens, the benefit of whose labour the coun- 
try once enjoyed, but who are now to be 
tlirown out of employment, to pine in want 
and distress ? Are ihose diflfeiear species of 
manufictures which must be introduced, bran, 
ches v\ liich eveiy one can pursue, or which 
are to b^^ iear.ie'i in an jnst: nt ? F^r from it. 
They are equally slaviiah and difficult ; a d 
for persons euiici lo tMclure them or pursue 



( 242 ) 



^ 



them with success, it is necessary (o have been 
bread to them almost from their infiancy* 
Thus a considerable portion of the union 
must want employment ; while the country 
generally would be in want of those necessary, 
articles with which commerce has su[ plied 
us. The rearing of manufactories has in^ 
every country been the progressive work of »c 
ages ; and it is impossible they can be estub- ,. 
lished in sufficient number and perlection to ; 
suppl) the immense wants of a country vihere: 
they were previously unknown, and foreign to 3, 
its leading pursuits." , 

" You would not," replied I, ** have to 
pass through the tedious progressive improve- 
ments of Europe in these arts ; but they 
would in their present state of perfection, be 
at once transplanted to this country. ]Viai»y ; 
of your ingenious countrymen, who have been ' 
in Europe, would take n.odels of what thty 
had seen, and when they returi ed home \^ ouid 
put them in execution. English books on 
tliese subjects would be published, and receive 
the attention of the community. Many of the 
- p" ' .^.^:. .^ bred to these arts in Eurc)pe, would 
be induced to come to this country. VV h-^*^ 'hr 



( 243 ) 

ustom of the United States was withdrawn 
'om P'.uropean manufactories, they would in a 
onsiderable decree languish. Many persons 
k'ould be thrown out of employment.. ..and 
v^hile they v\ oukl be compelled from neces- 
iiy to look out for s(.mie other, common sense 
vould dictate their removal to the United 
itates. But exclusive of any f )reign aid, 
hv countrv has already considerable know- 
edo:e of those arts. Since the obsiruc- 
ions to her commerce ':ave taken place, 
several manufactures have been estabrished, 
md in operation ; and they are increasing m 
;very part of the union. I have myself seea 
♦ome of the cloth wrought in them, and 
.vhile it is just as good as those of Europe is, 
I arn told, sold cheaper with a better profit. 
With respect to that distress which thou say- 
?st will take place among certain classes for 
ivant of employment, I can only observe that 
for the reasons before stated, I am inclined to 
believe that it will be less, and continue a 
shorter time than supposed, and these reasons 
It is unnecessary to repeat. But admitting 
these difficulties should take place, are not 
the difficulties to your commerce equally great. 



( 244 ) 

Is r,ot your property piunck red ? Are not your 
seamen inipressed P In short is not your ex- 
ternal trade either er.tirelv cut oft or reduced 
to a seamy rcnmaiit ? Have not these things 
Jong Ixen severeiy feh ? And w hy did not th€ 
peGj)Ie at once tnin their aitenticn to domes- 
tick niamilactures ?" 

'' But would there not,'' replied Appoloni- 
us, "• be moie national honour in defending 
that cc-mmcrce to which we have a right, and 
^^h■ch cannot he relinquishe(] wihout produ- 
cm^' t] 'i trfca'est distress and inconvenience; 
than thus ignobl) to f/ive it up because a foreign 
nation Ji*o\vns (^n us ? Should our external 
trac'e be anhihilatecb it is not only cotton and 
\vooikn majujf'acturt'S which we should have 
to establish, and v.hich atthis tim.e seem alone 
to occupy ihe consideratioji of the nublick ; 
but a thiousand othf;rs of v\liich we have form- i 
ed no coi^eeption. Can those various » roduc- 
tions brought f om so n^anv diiierent climes, 
be reared in the soil and climate of the United 
States ? Can th.ose numerous manufactured 
articles, collected from the ingenuity of every 
n.ation, be wroup^ht in the United States ? is 
our country at this time prepared to engage in 



( 245 ) 

hese numerous pursuits; and does not the very 
idea of their magnitude and difficulty over- 
whelm us in dispair ? For the production of 
some of tliese articles we have not the materials; 
for others we have not the workm.en; and for 
some we have neither materials nor work- 
men.'* 

Many of those articles replied I, are mere 
luxuries; the importation of which has only 
served to exhaust the substantial wealth of 
thy country ; and their exclusion so far from 
being an injury, would be a real blessing. Your 
country could do without them ; the greater 
portion of it already does without them, and 
thoueh their exclusion mlp:ht extort somethine 
from the pride of the rich, it would extort lit- 
tle from their real warits. But with respect 
to the real necessaries of life, your country 
can and does manufiictuie the principal of 
them. Some of these pursuits would be im- 
proved, others would be conducted on a larrer 
scale, and new ones would be invented and 
encouraged; but the enterprising spirit and 
diversified skill of thy country would be 
competent to the whole. With respect to ail 

necessar}^ Diateriah, 1 am persuaded diat- a 

X 2 



( 246 ) 

country so extensive, and embracing such a 
variety of soil and climate, must be adapted 
to the most of them, and if they are not already 
produced, they certainly would when the en- 
terprize of the people was awakened, and these 
articles in demand. There is certainly trea- 
sures of discovery and improvement reserved 
for thy country, of which it has at this time 
no conception, and many of which has only 
escaped its attention, because it has been whol- 
ly engrossed by other objects. 

The burthen of this important revolution 
would be greatly diminislied by the exclusion 
of useless luxuries. Articles of general and 
necessary uisC, would first engross the atten- 
tion of the publick ; luxuries, if they were 
introduced, would be the result of progressive 
improvement, but it would be far better for 
thy country could they be forever excluded, ji 

** These are sentiments" replied my com- II 
panion ** which may do honour to a philoso- 
pher, but it is extremely difficult, perhaps 
impossible, to induce a whole nation to sul^mit 
to the dictates of philosophy, and rencuiice 
their nld habits. This is an efiect which can 
S^om be produced on an individual, and 



fi 



( 247 ) 

though he may receive a transitory impres- 
sion, he soon returns to his former customs ; 
but when we would expect it from a nation, 
the difficulties are equally numerous and 
insurmountable. In a state of civilized so- 
ciety, it is in fact extremely difficult to separate 
necessaries from luxuries, and men do not 
judge from the value of the articles them- 
selves, but from being more or less accustomed 
to them. The artificial wants of man, are as 
strong as his real ones ; and his pride is always 
stronger than his philosophy." 

These objections, replied I, would have 
their due weight if your commerce had no 
interruption, but when we consider the nu- 
merous obstructif ns to it, may not your 
country be induced to do from necessity; what 
they would not from choice ? But throwing 
aside necessity, is thy country wholly destitute 
of patriotism ? Her history forbids me to 
entertain this opinion. Consider how manv 
difficulties, and hardships she endured through 
a tedious, and doubtful war, to gain her in- 
dependence ; and will she not now endure 
the s.^me to preserve it, and to establish her 
interest on a solid and lasting foundation, 



( 248 ) 

beyond the power of foreign nations • to ef- 
fect. 

'* It is often less difficult" replies my com- 
panion, " to encounter an enemy, than to 
conquer our own passions and habits. In the 
one case our energies are roused by the hos- 
tile attitude of t ur enemy ; in the other they 
in a great measure lie dormant, or there is a 
conflict between our good and bad propensi- 
ties, while the former too often yield to the 
latter. In the oiie case we are often moie 
resolute in a bad cause than in the other we 
aie in a good one. There are many who 
would face the mouth of a cinnon, who cannot 
resist their own weakness, and Alexander 
Avho conquered the world, was himself con- 

quere(' by the love and wine But 

there is one consideration which seems to 
liave escaped our notice, and which may 
serve to illustrate what 1 have advanced. 
Should this projected revolution take place, 
by what agency, or what means, is it to be 
effected ? It must either be produced by a 
law of congress, or the voluntary consent of 
the people ; and in neither way can it be ef- 
fected. Congress has the pov. er ta regulate, 



( 249 ) 

but not to annihilate commerce ; and if it had 
the power, the people would never submit to 
the exercise of it. Tne enii^argo (though Un 
act essentially difterent from an annihilaiion of 
commercej Uas fully exemplified this fact. 
Though it was a measure which the difficulty 
of tht crisis required ; though it was less a 
measure of retaliation upon our enemies, than 
one for preserving the property of citizens; yet 
it in no long time raised an alarming discontent. 
It was even affirmed, though erroneously, that 
if it was not repealed, it would occasion a re- 
Volt of the eastern from the v\ ester n states ; and 
notwithstanding its many provisions, and se- 
vere penalties, it was frequently violated while 
it continued. All these circumstances at 
length compelled congress to repeal it.'* 

I have only to make one remark, replied I, 
in answer to your observations. I believe we 
have all along differed more respecnng the 
manner in which the projected revolution is to 
be affected, than respecting the benefits which 
inust i levitably result from it. It is true it 
may not be produced either by a law of con- 
gress, or by the vohmtary consent of the peo- 
ple ; but then it may be produced by the 



( 250 ) 

clifficulties of the crihis. It is this which has 
already turned the attention of thy country to 
domestick manufactures ; and there is reason 
to believe they \\ ill still continue in progressive 
improvement. On the subject of commerce 
I will make but one remark. Whatever doubts 
may exist as to the wisdom of its total an- 
nihilation, I am decidedly of opinion that it 
would be much better for thv countrv to 
conduct it on a much smaller scale, to exclude 
useless luxuries and import only such articles 
as are necessary, or which she cannot produce 
herself; to cut off those unv/ieldy branches 
which only exhaust the sap of the tree, and 
retain those only which bear fruit. A coiunry 
whose commerce, like that of the United 
States, is so immense, and branched out in so 
many different directions, without a navy to 
protect it, is at the mercy of every country, 
and whatever may be her national justice, she 
is iicjbie to be involved in wars and plundered by 
every piratical power Should the ccnnrerce 
of such a country be entirely cut off, her situ- 
ation is truly wretched, and she s left with a 
thousand ariificiai wants without the means of 
supplying even such as are real. When wc 



i 251 ) 

GonsicJer the rapacity and injustice which has 
always prevailed in the political world, we may 
take it for an indubitable maxim, that the 
more a nation can live by her own economy 
and industry, the more she has her resources 
within her own controul, the better. 

Here our conversation ended, and my friend 
declared, that in these maxims he entirely 
concurred. Adieu. 



( 252 ) 



LETTER XXII. 



I SOMETIMES take a ramble by myself, 
stop successiveiy at different publick places, 
and find srme degree of pleasure in noting the 
various characters that resort to them, and 
listening to their motly conversation, without 
being known. Sometimes I sit in a solitary 
corner trapped in my cloak, and have nothing 
to amuse me but ihe passing scenes ; and 
someiimcs 1 cf>me in contact uith a social 
fellow \\hom 1 am compelled to join in puffirig 
a segar or drii kjng a mug of ale. Sometimes 
I am taken for a foreigner, and sometime s for 
a" citizen, sometimes for a democ; at and some- 
times for a federalist, I never drop any hint 
oi my real character further than \\ hat mny 
be discovered from n^y physiognomy, or the 
peculiarity of my pronunciatlofu 1 hei^e ex- 
curbi(.nb afibrd liuie iimusemert to a ciTizcn, 
but to a traveller like ujvbeif, whose cuiioi^irv 



( 253 ) 

is awakened by every thing he sees, they are 
highly gratifying, and furnish many hints of 
speculation. The companies in which I find 
myself, are sometimes grave, sometimes se- 
rious, and sometimes a mixture of all de- 
scriptions. 

In the first house at which I stopt was a 
crouded company, who were eagerly dispu- 
ting on politicks. They were divided into 
several parties, and the fumes of tobacco, the 
stimulous of wine, and the warmth of the fire 
had raised the spirit of their conversation to 
the highest tone. Each, I observed, was 
restless while the other was speaking, one 
half of whose remarks he did not listen to, 
while the other half appeared in a light wholly 
distorted. Frequently one would interrupt 
the other in the midst of his observations, and 
if the latter still persisted, the other would 
involuntarily address his spontaneous effusions 
to the rest of the company, or woula cast 
around him a look of contemptuous astonish- 
ment, at what he was compelled to listen to.-^ 
Frequently the argument turned upon the' 
point who had a right to speak, and when one 
hiad fully proved his claim as he imagined, and 



{ 254 ) 

just entered on his explanation, the othe^ 
would cut him short, with *' that 1 have al- 
ready answered," or *' that is incorrect," or 
*' you are wandering from the point." A 
little sturdy fellow being seized with the pre- 
vailing fit, and desirous of expressing some 
new idea which I suppose had occurred to him, 
left his glass, rose from his seat, and threw 
down his segar, but after a thousand stutter- 
ing efforts to obtain a hearing, first jogging the 
shoulder of one, and then another, was at last 
compelled to renounce the attempt, and re- 
sume his seat in all the irritation of oisap^voint- 
ment. Another with a glass of grog in his 
hand, was equally impatierit, but unfortunately 
having applied it tu his lips, when his oppor- 
tunity was at hand, it was to his great mortifi- 
cation seized from him by another before he 
could recover the use of his lungs. Frequently 
the whole company united in one ciamoqr, 
and while each was striving to attract the 
attention of the rest, there was not a solitary 
lisiner in the room. Some laboured unoer a 
confusion of ideas ; others under impediments 
of expression ; some burst out in a horse 
laugh, and others exhibited every mark of 



( 255 3 

I irritation. But the most amusing circum- 
stance was the facihtv with which thev wan- 
derecl from the point. There was a hundred 

\ topicks disputed, and not one discussed. It 
\^'as a contest of passion in which reason had 
no share, and thev^ endured all the thorns of 

\ controversy without any of the fruits. The 
scene miarht be com oared to a fire which suf- 
focates the company with smoke without im- 

j parting one ray of heat. 

My curiosity being gratified here, I pra- 

[ ceeded to another place of the same descrip- 
tion. Here I observed in one room a number 

i seated around a card table, on which v.erc 
staked several parcels of money, for which 
their avarice was excited. A number of idle 
fellows were crouded around the gamblers, and 
eagerly looking over to see the result. There 
were several much intoxicated, who seemed 
to be most implicated in betting, and throwing 
dow^n their money with a brutal curse, were 
perfecdy indifferent about the fate of it. The 
minds of the company generally seemed to be 
wholly fixed on the game, and nothing was to 
be heard, except at intervals an oath or excla- 
mation of regret for a loss sustained, or the 



< 256 ; 

blustering jargon of the drunkards... .At last a 
dispute arose between t\\ o of die gamblers on 
SQir,t incident of the game. They appealed to 
the bye standers, but some had not observed, 
and some gave their opinion in favour of one 
■party and some in favour of the oiher. From 
argument they proceeded to dc;gniatick asser- 
lionb, from thence to harsh insinuations, and 
from thence to blows. In the turbulence of the 
«ngageriient they upset the sramblins; table, 
scattered the cards, and mixed together the 
money \\ hich lay on it. This occasioned a 
most dreadful confusion, for each party striv- 
ing to obtain what he imagined his own, and 
some Mishing to profit from the coni'usion, 
they began to wiangle and fight in every di- 
rection about the division. ...some came off 
with bloody noses, others with bloodshot eyes, 
some were wooUed by the hair, and others 
stamped uiKler foot, and several Vvcre glad to 
make their escape. 

In another room was a set of a different de- 
scription, who, though iiiduloino: in ail the 
excess of dissipation, still preserved the hila. 
rity of I'^riendship and good nature. They had 
met together with the determination of having 



( 257 ) 

a frolick. The glass circulated freely, jokes 
were cracked, and bursts of laughter followed. 
Songs passed round, and v/ere roared in 
an unmerciful strain. When at a late hour 
they attempted to rise from the table, few had 
the use of their limbs. Some staggered against 
the wall, others fell against the table, and 
others got entangled in their chair, and fell 
prostrate on the floor. The wine was spilt on 
the table, the glasses were scattered about, 
several crushed to pieces on the floor, and the 
chairs upset. Having now replenished their 
glasses, which they drank standing up, they 
began to break them to pieces one against the 
other. Several being seized with the conta- 
gion, and desirous to keep up the fun, took up 
the bottles lying on the table and threw them 
against the wall, and all \vere highly delighted 
with the flying pieces of glass and the wine 
flowing down the floor. They now with, one 
impulse, seized the table which obstructed 
their movements, and having thrown it on one 
side, they formed themselves in a ring, and 
began to roar out a song in which all united, 
accompanied with stamping, huzzaing, and 

bursts of laughter. The landlord wishing 

Y 2 



( 258 ) 

to preserve some decorum in his house, came 
in to expostulate, but they swore they would 
pay for all damages and wanted no advisers. 
The servant came in to endeavour to set the 
furniture in some order, but he only afFoided 
a new object of fun for die turbulent Baccha- 
nalians, and seizing him, some by one limb 
and some by another, and others setting fire 
to his hair, he was glad to make his escape, 
while the fiame issued from his head. Wish- 
ing now to take a farewell drink, they loucily 
demanded a fresh botde, but it was with great 
difficulty thnt the affrighted servants couk! be 
mustered, and not until long and impatient 
clamour that they obtained it. Having filled 
their glasses, and mingling with the draught 
the sentiment that they might never all meet 
together again, they swallowed it with all ima- 
ginable relibh. They now broke up iheir 
meeting and dispersed. I observed that stu- 
pefaction soon took place of hilarity ; some fell 
asleep in their chairs, others began to vomit, 
and others were carried to bed by the servants. 
Such as had homes endeavoured to seek them, 
and those who were less intoxicated undertook [[ 
to assist the others^ I attended them to tb^ 



i 



( 259 ) 

door. Some, ii; trying to sound the steps, 
'missed their footinj^ and fell on the pavement: 
others got entangled in die streets and fell in 
the mire, and all moved along with tottering 
steps, and in a circuitous direction. 

Returning to vny lodgings, 1 began to reflect 
on \ihat I had seen. It is at such places, said 
I, that human nature is seen in its most de- 
gr tied light ; it is there that habits are con- 
tracted, which lead to immedi..te ruin and 
disgrace. How many fortunes, at such places 
are, in a few months, nay a few nights, dissi- 
p^ited ! How many healthy constitutions are 
reduc<:rd to a wreck ? Unfortunate is the poor 
woman who has a husband of such a charac- 
ter ! How often, through him, is she reduced 
to the extreme of v^retchedness? Her children, 
instead of being supported by the industry of 
the father are, by his prodigality, reduced to 
poverty and w^ant ; instead of being instructed 
by the example of his virtues, are contanana- 
ted by the example of his vices. While he 
is squandering his money at taverns, it is per- 
haps through the exertions of the moiher that 
her children are maintained, |)erhaps after all 
her efforts she sees them looking up to her in 



^ ( 260 ) 

vain for bread. But the most affecting circum- 
stance is, that to her other miseries are verj^ 
often added the tyranny of an intoxicated hus- 
band. How many a poor woman is thus 
brought to an untimely grave^ and dies of a 
broken heart ? 

In the midst of these melancholy reflec- 
tions, I cast my eyes up and found myself 
near an inn of a more genteel description 
than those I had visited* I entered it. In a 
room at some distance from transient custom- 
ers, I observed several persons of a serious 
aspect, who were engaged in conversation. 
I approached them, and found that the subject 
w^as religion. One of the companj^ addressed 
himself somewhat in the follou ins: strain. ** I 
do not believe there is any religion in the 
world that had its orii>:in from God. Thev 
all attribute to him human passions, and even 
human weakness, and sometimes represent 
him in a detestable, and sometimes a ridicu- 
lous pointof view; nor does the christian religi- 
on afford any exception. The universe is the 
best evidence of the u isdom of God, and our 
own reason and conscience, the best rule of 
Our moral conduct. There are many parts of 



I 



I (■ 261 ) 

the scripture which prove that the authors of 
it were not only men, but that the) had very 
coniracted ideas of the p^randeur of the crea- 
tion ; and there are many parts of it wliich 
contradict the first ayi'>ms of the human un- 
derstand ng. Absurdiiits, which have been 
shielded under the name of mysteries, abound 
through the whole, and there are many parts 
which contradict each other. It is irom this 
obscurity and contradiction of the bibie, that 
there ha^e arisen so many difft rent sects, each 

I drawing their creed from difFerent texts, and " 
while they have preached humanity to the rest 

i of the world, have set the example of intoler- 
ance, and persecution among each other." 
This severe invective highly incensed the 
christians, who had alwa} s been accustomed 
to look upon their religion as sacred, yet such 
was their embarrassment, that thev could make 
no reply. An old man, however, apparently 
far advanced in years, made the following an- 
swer. " The manner in which vou have 
spoken of Christianity, is only a proof theit you 
have never experienced that divine consolation 
and support which it is calfulated to afford, 
and does afford to every person who reads k 



( 262 ) 

with a pious mind, and your situation is ra- 
ther worthy of pity than of envy. The uni- 
verse may indeed display the wisdom, and 
power of God, but it leaves us in darkness, 
and doubt, on many other important poiins, 
of which the heart of m.an isaturaliy sighs to 
be informed. As beings, feeling our depend- 
ence on an overruling creator, endowed wiih 
the principles of action, susceptible of joy and 
hope, and capable of looking forv^-ard to the 
next world, as well as the present; we anxi- 
ously desire a more intimate acquaintance 
with our creator, and embrace ^^ ith joy aitd 
gratituc'e, the system in which those treasure? 
are revealed. And why should not the AU 
mighty have condescended to gratify this, 
desire of his creatures? Or what system bears 
more striking proofs of divine origin tljaa 
christi:^.nity, a system w hich breathes the most 
divine benevolence, and some of whose max- 
ims are almost too celestial for man in his i»a- 
tuial, and corrupt state to admit ? It is this 
which imparts a satisfaction to the pious, 
which hey w ould not give up for all the wealth 
and power of the world, and which gloomy 
acepticks would themselves envy, were they 



( 263 ) 

"capable of feeling it. It is this which in softw 
inbiances has changed even the very nature of 
man, which always engages the affection, and 
strengthens the viriuous exertions, which 
unoer every misfortune cherishes the consoling 
belief that we are in the hands of an all- wise 
creator, and amidsi all the emptiness of this 
toansient life, reminds us of that whose duration 
is eternal, and w hose happiness is without a\* 
loy. If deists are incapable of feeling this divine 
satisfaction, why do they endeavour to take it 
from others, and diffuse in place of it their 
gloomy doubts ? Why spread the contagion 
among those who have not the disease.*'— 
These remarks which the pious old man de- 
livered in a feeling and artless manner had a 
very visible effect on the young Deists. He 
sighed, cast a look to the earth, and me 
thought his countenance seemecfto say, '* I 
may have truth on my side, but the Christian 
surely has happiness on his. ' Indeed my 
friend this is not the only proof which I have 
w^itnessed of the consolation which Christians 
both in this country and others derive from 
their religion. It has been the opinion of 
some philosophers, that every religion which 



( 264 ) 

is founded on morality, and points to a future 
and more happy state is a blessing to society. 
Those on the contrary who have discarded all 
systems of religion, have exhibited sufficient 
proofs of the weakness of that philosophy 
which they would substitute, and passing 
from one gloomy chimera to another, have at 
last ended with denying the existence of a 
universe, the existence of a God, and the cs- 
nstence of themselves. 



( 265 ) 



LETTER XXIIL 



A quESTioN which has here given rise 
to much discussion is, whether it is expedient 
to appropriate a sum for building a navy, and 
whether it would afford a better defence than 
fortifications and gun boats. My companion, 
Appolonius, though he is an advocate for com- 
merce, does not seem to approve of this mea- 
sure, we have just had a conversation on this 
subject, and I have only taken up my pen to 
relate the substance of it. Why said I, address- 
mg him, has thy country declined the ho- 
nour of building and supporting a navy vv hich 
would afford protection to your commerce 
and command the respect of other countries. 
Your policy is in this respect, it seem>, diile- 
rent from that of the nations of Europe vrho 
think it as necessary to be powerful at sea 
as to be powerful on land. Ncverthoiess 
you have in your possession every means 



( 266 ) 

of becoming their rival in this branch of 
national strength. The immense forests of 
thy country afford abundance of materials for 
building a navy and her commierce carried on 
with every part of the world yield plenty of 
sailors to man it. 

** *Tis true'' answered Appolonius ** that we 
have all the means of raising a navy but we do 
not hi this respect chuse to enter the list of am- 
bition widi Europe. The gigantic navy of | 
Britain is no better than a necessary evil and ; 
like those painful operations which the human j 
body is sometimes compelled to endure in 
order to preserve a remriant of existence. Se- 
parated as we are from the commotion of Eu- 
rope and living under a government whose ob- 
ject is the happiness of the people our manner 
of thinking is, in mxany respects different In m 
that of Europe: we turn with abhonence 
from war and arubiiion and tmbri^ce the l;li ss- 
ings of i eace and justice. Kad v e a ni.v) it 
might only inspire us with an i<mbition for 
maratime dominion and involve us in injuicus 
and unnecessary wars.'* 

That a navy, replied I, may be prostrated to 
dishonourable purposes like ever) other ers^ine. 



( 267 ) 

of national power I reaJily acknowledge, but 
surely the views of thy country in building one 
would not be to invade the riglits of other na- 
tioni but to defend her own. You seem to 
think that her remote situation from Europe 
&nd her pacifick policy shield her from national 
ifijuries but you f^rfget that she is connected 
in commerce with almost every other country, 
and that whate\er may be her national justice 
other countries are not governed by the same 
principle. The difFiculties in vvhich she is at 
this time placed is a proof of this remark. 

'' And what service (replied Appolonius) 
wo lid H navy b- to us in our present situation? 
Could such a one as we could build, cope with 
that of Britain' or be able to defend our com^ 
merce in all its branches? All that we can do 
is to prepare ourselves for defending our sea 
port tovwns and these preparations we have be- 
gan long ago. Congress has wiscl) preferred 
fortifications and gun boats to frigates. Gun 
boats for defending our shores possess several 
advantages over frigates. They are more easi- 
ly managed in narrow rivers and shoal water^ 
and depend less on the vicissitudes of wincis.*' 

On this point, replied I, the nation isdivided 



( 268 ) 

in opinion, and my scanty knov/lc('2:e of mari- 
^time affairs does not enable me to hazzard a 
conjecture on the subject. Wlieliier frigates 
or gun boats however are best calculated for 
the defence of your shores at this ci isis it is 
certain that the former are of more permanent 
and g( neral use. Gun boats may be calcula- 
ted for the shore, but frigates are calculated 
lor the ocean. Gun boats have orilv been 
built for dtfendiiio; your to\Mis aji^ainst the 
attacks of one of the beHio:erent nations \\ hich 
liiuy iir-t t,)ke place, but frigates would not 
only be calculated for the same purpose but 
would be permanent and respectable engines 
of national strength and useful in many future 
ca-.es iii wlilch t]"iey may be wanting. Your 
commerce, branched out in so many different 
channels, is sui)]ect to depredations, sometimes 
by one country and sometimes by another, 
nor is it possible to protect it without a navy* 
Tis true that such a one as it might be practi- 
cable for you to build, would be inferior to that 
of Britain but it might be superior to that of 
m. ny other countries, and though it might not 
be able to accomplish every thing it might be 
Extremely useful. 



( 269 ) 

*^ Vvhatever should be our motives," re- 
plied my companion, " for building a navy, it 
would occasion a great national expence, and 
perhaps be destined at last to Ml into the hands 
of Britain. The navy of Holland, France, 
Spain, and Denmark, have shared tliis fate. 
Bi i.ain actuated by nothing but ambition and 
self interest could not view a growing navy of 
t'-j United States widiout an efi^ort to suppress 
i:. Our riglits on the ocean have, besides, 
always clashed with hers, which would pecu- 
liarly expose U3 to a naval contest with hen 
Our seamen have been impressed, our pro- 
perty has been p-iundered, and our citizens 
murdertd within cr.r own wTittis. To build 
.-. navy sufficient to prevent a repetition of 
theset insults, is out of our pciwer, and the 
expence of the measure would be inconsistent 
w ith the economy of our coun.try.'' 

Tliis was the end of our conversation. It 
unfolds some of the peculiar circumstances 
under which this country is placed. AgIcu, 



f 



( 270 ) 



LETTER XXIV. 



The Anniversary of the Independence ef 
diis republick, has lately been celebrated, and 
a short sketch of it may perhaps afford thee 
some amusement. This is the day on which 
t«iie colonies in congress assembled, declared 
themselves independent states, and afterwards 
realized it by their exertions. The people in 
the full enjoyment of their liberty, still look 
back with pleasure to that period under the 
difficulties of which their fathers had the re- 
solution to take so bold a stand, and the for- 
titude to maintain it ; a period when the 
eonfiict was arduous, and the result uncertain. 
Accordingly the return of this day is celebra- 
ted with every demonstration of joy. The 
shops are slut up, tv^ry one is exempt 
from labour, and business, and appears in his 
best apparel. The militia, and volunteer 
companies make a grand parade, houses of 



( 271 ^ 

business deserted, and publick inns crowded. 
An orauon is generally delivered on die occa- 
sion, and every one thinks it his duty to get 
drunk. 

I confess, indeed, that the proceedings of 
these people appeared to me more ludicrcjus 
than rational. They hail the return of this day 
less on account of the political blessings that 
may be associated with it, than on account of 
the opportunity it affords of gratifying their 
own respective propensities. The laborious, 
or the idle hail it not as a day of national, but 
personal liberty. The volupluous hail it for 
the opportiniity it affords of gradfying their 
intemperate appetites under the cover of dis- 
playing their patriotism ; and all hail it more 
for the pomp of the celebration, than the pur- 
pose of it. 

The morning dawned with firing of cannon, 
and a band of musick parading the street ac- 
companied with a host of noisy boys. As the 
morning passed on, and the period formubter- 

I ing approaches, individuals of every condition, 
size and phisiognomy, are seen in their differ- 
ent military dresses, repairing to appointed 

! places of meeting ; dieir mubkets on their 



( 272 ..) 

.shoulder, and their cartouch bcx laced to their 
side. Having: met together, and formed iiuo 
cliffejent compciuies, lachuncier their respec- 
tive ccmmarider, they mareh in one body 
through the main street, preceeced by a baiid 
of niusiek, and ensigns fi(>'aung in the air. 
The commanders on hoi beback assume great 
pomp and importance, sometimes spurririg 
their horses forv. ard, sometimes st- pping 
short and retreating back, now pointing their 
swords, and now giving orders. Every heart 
is elated with jcy, and every eye attracted by 
the sieht. Tlie women crowd to tlie window^ ; 
the boys collect in groups; the servants let 
go their wlieehbairows, or kiy down their 
burdens, and lock on vnth gaping curiosity. 
The foot passap;cs next to the houses are 
crowded w ilh spectators who advance u ith the 
march of the soldiers, and transient passen- 
gers find it impossible to get through hem. 
The street is so ccm.pletely stopped up tliat 
no other engine can pass. Here a carriage is 
compelled to si op to give room for the passage 
of the soldiery, there ahorse breaks fiom his 
bridle and escapes tl iron gh the crowd, and ano- 
ther too ungovernabiC for his rider, ruiiS 



i 273 ) 

against the side of a house or tree and tlie 
horseman narrowly escapes being thrown. 

The band of nnusick and the solemnity of the 
procession attract every eye until the last com* 

pany cf soldiers disappear and the scene to 

those who remain in town is closed. The wo- 
men nnwiliineiv let down their windows, la- 

bourers with reluctance return to tneir work, 
*and the valetudinarian with a sigh returns to 
*'his sick room. 

The soldiers are now on their march to the 
place of parade, accompanied by a riumber of 
spectators on horseback. Having arrived, 
ahey undergo the various evolutions of military 
discipline. When service is over, the com- 
mander sometimes makes a speech to his 
men, always replete v.ith national egotism. 
He tells them that this is the glorious day on 
wliich their heroick farhers resolved to be free 
and sealed the resolution ^^ ith their blood, 
that it is worthy the descendents of such 
heroes, not only to haii its return ^^ ith e\ery 
demonstration of joy to the end of time, t;ut 
to shew in every trait of their national conduct 
that tiiCv w ill ever defend their liberty with the 
same valour by which their fathers gained it> 



( 274 ) 

JInd that clinging to it as a blessing insepara- 
ble from their existence, both ir.ust be crushed 
under the same blow. He reminds them that 
the difficulties of the crisis require the exertion 
of all their patriotism ; that they know not 
how soon the unprincipled aggressions, or 
hostile invasions, of their enemy may call 
them to the field, when hearkening to the voice 
of the guardian angel of their country, they 
Mill cheerfully leave their fire- sides and the 
happiness of domestick scenes^ to enccunter the. 
inclemencies of \^ eather, the toil of marches, 
and the danger of battle. He concludes with 
observing, it is a gratifying consideration that 
the dem.onstraiion of tlie patriotism and xuMy 
cf their cor.ntry is calculated to inspire their 
CJiemies v.ith respect, if not v»ith dread, and 
to convince them that a body of enlightened 
freemen are not to be resisted by the hai rass- 
ed slaves of a tyrant. Such, on this and other 
occasions is the common strain of their na- 
tional vanity. 

On this anni\ersar)% they have sometimes 
adopted a manoeuvre which is perfectly con- 
sistent with their national pomp, and this is a 
sham battle. The companies aie divided int© 



( 275 ) 

t\vo parties, and pass through all the forms of 
battle, but none of the danger, make use of 
powder but not lead, and gratify their vanity 
without bringing their courage to the test* 
They load and fire, advance and retreat, and 
after desperate exertions on both sides one 
party is at last compelled to surrender. 

Leaving the field of muster, they repair to 
the different places where dinner is prepared 
for them.... some to inns in the city, some to 
gardens in the suburbs, and some to a spring 
overshaded with trees. In these places are 
made temporary arrangements of planks, an- 
swering the purpobC of a table, and extended 
far enough to admit of seats for a number of 
persons. Here the sons of fieedom think 
they display their patriotism by indulging ij^ 
every excess of natural an 1 artificial appetite, 
and that they render a tribute to their political 
constitution by infusing poison into their na- 
tural ones. To view their intemperate indul- 
gencies, you would hardiy suppose that they 
were the descendants of that hardv band who 
endured so many difficulties and pri vatic ns 
during the revolution. It is cu:itomary for 
every one before he swaliows his diaught to 



( 276 ) 

give a toast, full of the pomp of words, but 
destitute of truth, and by which the powef 
and virtue of his own country is exaggerated 
and that of every other depreciated. This is 
followed by several ioud and stupid shouts. 
When the festival is broke up few are able to 
walk without staggering, cr to taik Vvithout 
mumbling their words. The more temperate 
part endeavour to find their way home ; and of 
the rest some get among driiikiiig clubs, others 
among gambiing parties ; some go to sera- 
glios, and some patrole the streets, w ith 
their bottle in their hand, making every spe- 
cies of noise, and sometimes pulling down 
signs, making traps at doors, or upsetting 
steps. 



( 277 :) 



LETTER XXV. 



Thou wilt discover, from several of my 
letters, the unbounded civil freedom which is 
enjoyed in this country, and that the highest 
officers of government are subject, not only to 
the investigation, but to the abuse of the low- 
est order of citizens. This priviledge of the 
people is particularly exercised at every period 
of national difficuitv, and besides the usual 
newspaper eiFusions, there are abundance of 
pamphlets, each prufessing to hold out a sove- 
leign remcfjy for the evil, and only requiring 
a fair examination to convince every one of 
the same. 

' There are manv characters who derive all their 
importance from some weakncbs ofthtir spe- 
cies. The kiiig (ieiivts his from thtir reverence 
of empty rank and tide. The shew-man or 
fortune teller d^ri es his from their credulity. 
The poliucal dcmJgfiLni': derives his from the 



A a 



C 278 ) 

frenzy of their party feelings ; and the political 
scribbler derives his from the avidity with 
which men read evtl-j ephemerical publication 
on subjects which agitate their leelings, while 
the finest productions on other topicks are 
read with indifference, or passed over wiih 
neglect. 

Eclitus has all the vanity of an author, \^ ilh 
hardly the information of a school boy. He 
has, nevertheless, had the gratification to see 
a few of his pieces inserted, with some gram- 
matical coriections, in several periodical pro- 
ductions. This excited his vanity to such a 
degree, that he resolved to \\rite a book which 
would not only display his powers to the pre- 
sent generation, but extend his fame to the 
latest posterity. He accordingly made several 
exertions, but in each miscarried. Some of 
his productions he could not prevail u| on any 
bookseller to publish, others were pt inted hut 
were neglected by the pi bllck. His fiiuK'S 
censured his vainly, and il;ose lew of tl.e 
people vho rend h'^s bo(.k renc;ertd it more 
ridiculous by their ci i^iri^-m than it really v. as. 
Eclitus could not, however, be pcrsuaf ed to 
renounce Iiis pui*siiit, arid upon rcfiection is 



( 279 ) 

resolved to chuse a political subject for hi^ 
next performance. Viewing the interest which 
his country felt on this subject, in all its bran- 
ches, to the total exclusion of almost every 
oilier, he was convisiced that a political produc- 
tion could not laii to attract their attention. He 
accordingly resolved to write a pamphlet on 
the crisis. ...he be^>ins it with enumerating' the 
difficulties in which the nation is placed, not 
only to shew the necessity of aM investigation 
on the subject, but to convince you of his 
superior powers, in being able to overcome 
them all, and to point out that sovereigii re- 
medy which had escaped tiie sagacit}' of the 
national cabinet. In his progress he examines 
successively every opinion in opposition to the 
po-.ition he means to lay down, and of course 
' rehires them. He now comes to his grand 
poiiiical panaeea, the expectation of his 
readers are raised to the utmost ; but, alas, it 

I is found to be no more than some stale idea 
which has been reiterated a thousand times 

} both in publick prints and private conversa- 
tion ; or some political opinion into which his 
party creed has led him. After proving, in- 
contestably, the utility of his position, and 



( 280 ) 

deienciing it cngainst all cavil, he ends with re- 
marking, that he has gone through his inves. 
tigation solely from the motive to discharge 
his duty to the publick, that though it may 
have cost him some hours study over the 
midnight oil, he ^vill be sufficiently com|.en. 
sated should the pubiick have the prudence to 
fellow his advice, but that should w hat he has 
written be neglected at the preseiU day, pos- 
tcr>tv at leist will do it justice. 

CuTstock has always been a noisy politician, 
and a violent cnemv of the administration. 
He is t!:e author of many sciUTilous piece/3, 
Vvhich has appeared in the newspapers. At 
publick elections his haughty carriage, and 
dogmatick assertions are very apt to involve 
him in nuarrels, with tlioae who do not think 
:;s he (Iocs. Ke e^'C^ to colTee houses on 
purpose to incUi'ge his ungovernable propen- 
sity for abu'.ing all ] ubiick officers. On 
pii'olick ft.*stivals the toasts he gives alwa\s 
pouit to the weakness r<nd \\ ickedness of the 
adminihtration. Politicks he introduces in 
every company, and on every occasion. He 
is notcesritiite cf talents, but they are \>. ho'ly 
perverted by illiberal prejuciices. On the 



( 281 ) 

subject of politicks, you can neither derive 
infonn:ition froin him, nor will he receive it 
from you. When you speak, he is impatient 
until you are done, and hears not a word you 
uttered, but when he addresses you, though 
in a dogmatick aiid blustering stile, he expects 
vou will look up to him with as much rever- 
ence as if a pure intelligence were addressing 
you. His behaviour often offends strangers, 
and is disgusting to his most intimate ac- 
quaintances. 

After long indulging his invectives against 
publick characters in every company, and 
Conversation, he resolves to commit his ideas 
fully to paper, and publish them in a pamph- 
let. He thinks it impossible, but such 
IIP investigation must convince every candid 
mind of tlie truth of his opinions. He begins 
1^ with observing that the dema2:oguc rulers 
[ have long imposed on the crtduiity of the 
nation, but he is determined to strip them of, 
the musk, to expose tlieir weak and wicked 
policy, and aro se the people from Uicir 
dream. He observes that the consequences, 
of the election of the preserit mcnibtrs of the 

cabinet, were long ago foicLoId by his own 

A a 2 



( 282 ) 

party, and are now realized. Wholly gov- 
erned by party passions, he goes on to view 
only one side of the question, and to exhibit 
every thing in a distorted shape. The diffi- 
culties of the crisis he confounds with defects 
of national policy. Where rulers have made 
exertions to obtain peace, he construes it in- 
to a pusillanimous submission to insults, and 
where they have made preparations for defence, 
he constnies it into a wish to involve the 
country in a war. His blunders hf mistakes 
for his discoveries ; his own prejudices for 
that of the adverse party, and his total igno. 
ranee of his own frailties, for a full demonstra- 
tion of the ignorance, the folly, and stupidity 
of the national cabinet. His intemperance 
carries him still farther, and he relates every 
pitiful story, whether true or false, uhether i 
from good or bad authority, that can irjure 
the moral character of publick men, or giTC 
a plausible colour to his invectives. He con- 
cludes with a solemn appeal to the nation, 
intreats them to reflet fairly and impartially, 
on the contents of his pamphlet, to exercise 
the priviledges of freemen, and no longer 
submit to the delusions of prejudice j to cast i 



( 283 ) 

out from OiRce men who have thrown a dis- 
grace on their i.ational character, and to avert 
the dangers that threaten the country. 

Prickear is a politician of some talents, but 
greater credulity, and as his thirst for news is 
great, so he believes without discrimina- 
tion every story, whether true or false, probable 
or miraculous. He is acquainted with alm.ost 
€very sea captain, that sails from the port of 
his native city, and is the first who can detail 
the news of everv late arrival. He had rather 
go without his dinner than his paper, and the 
loss of the latter takes away his appetite for the 
former. He has a correspondence with some 
person of almost every town in the Union, 
and is always acquainted with some members 
of congress, who give him a detail of their pro- 
ceedings. He is a constant visitor of coffee 
houses, elections and town meetings. If he 
sefs a collection of persons taklinj^in the street, 
he cannot pass without mixing am(.ng them, 
and enquiring what is the subject. Accost him 
with t le qnestion, whether he has heard the 
news, and he immediately casts up a wild en^ 
quiring look. Tell him that war is declared, 
and be thinks he sees the enemy advancing in 



{ 284 ) 

hostile array. By means of his active but 
credulous curiosity he hds acquired a great 
deal of hetorogcnious knowledge and is find of 
displaying it both in conversation and writing, 
and the subject of both is generally politicks. 
When his country is involved in difficulties 
witha foreign nation, he expects every day that 
it will be attacked and loudly recommends pre- 
paration for war. He solemnly assures his coun- 
try , that the threatening aspect of affairs ren-* 
der it highly, necessary to pre pare for the worst 
and that statements of the hostile designs of 
their enemy are no longer to be doubted. He 
o'oes on to expatiate on tlie various resources of 
theirnational strength, and c!eclares that if they 
will only with united exertion make use of 
themeans which providence has placed in their 
hands, they are fully able to meet the difficuL 
ties of the crisis. His own chimeras he mis- 
takes for the real dangers of the nation, and the 
solicitude which anotlier i ation may feel for 
her own rights, he construes into a hostile de- 
sign, towards those of his own country. 



{ 285 ), 



LETTER XXVI. 



» i iiii 



I HAVE in none of my former letters, f 
oelieve, given thee any accownt of the slaves 
in this country. They have been purchased 
on the coast of Africa, brought here in large 
quantities and sold among the people. This 
traffick has lately been prohibited by a law of 
congress. The original features of this race 
are black colour, tiat noses^ thick lips, and 
nottecl hair ; but in this country they are a 
mongrel breed, and exhibit almost every shcide 
of feature from the Afiican to the European. 
This, of course, has arisen from their venerial 
intercourse vviih die louer orders or debauch- 
ed characters of the whites. The colour of 
some is hardly altctcd from the original Afri- 
can black, tiiat of l; great number is mulatto, 
and that of a k\\ ;'.])pioach so ne.ir to the 
whiles as hardly to admit of dibtinGtion, 



( 286 ) 

These men are far more numerous in the 
southern, and western states, than hi the 
northern and eastern, and their conditicn more 
wretched. In the former parts of the coun- 
tr} they are all slaves ; in the latter the great- 
er number are free, and all, after they arri\ e 
at a certain age ; In the former the laws in 
relation to the whites, and the blacks are 
founded en no lecijrccity of rights, and permit 
an unbounded exercise of tyranny by the ore 
over the other ; in the latter the blacks 
in many respects enjoy equal priviledges 
with the whites, and are treated accordinoU. 
When a Virginian goes into Pennsylviinia, 
he is astonished at the licentious priviledges, 
and impudent behaviour of the blacks ; when 
a Pennsylvanian goes into Virginia he is as- 
tonished at the debasing subjection, and tyran- 
nical treatment of the same order. 

The condition of the negroes in the western 
parts of the country is a melancholy scene. 
Sonieiimes thev are knocked down in a lit of ! 

m 

passion, and sometimes delii erateiy tied up i 

and cut until the back is bruised and raw, and j 

the blood trickles to d\e ground. Their f^ od i 

consists of but one article, an ailovvance of . 



4 287 ) 

meal, not enough to support them under the 
kboiir they are compelled to endure, and some- 
times hardly enough to sustain life, TJieir 
cjoathing, is coarse and scanty and neither suf- 
ficient to protect them from the winters' blast 
i^or the summers' heat. They are called up l)y 
their overseer at the light of day.. ..a few rag- 
ged remnants of cloathing around them, and 
drawn up and shivering with cold, they totter 
over the frosty or frozen ground to the place of 
their daily labour, some bare- footed and others 
with old shoes tied around their feet. Their 
labour throughout the day is unremitting, 
threats and stripes is their only portion, and 
hardly is time allowed them to eat their scanty 
meal. Returning to their miserable huts, their 
only covering is an old ragged blanket, their 
bed the i;are earth. The insu|.portabie ty- 
ranny of the master, or overseer sometimes 
compels them to run away ; and their scanty 
allowance of food and cloathinia; sometimes 
induce them to steal, and in bodi cases they 
are su ipped, and beaten in the vilest manner. 
Tue cruelty of these punishments have some- 
times put a period to their miserable existence. 
Tiie ponioi* of tune which they have f)r rest 



( 288 ) 

are Sundays and ni^^hts after the close of their 
days labour. This time they sometimes em- 
ploy in cultivating a small portion of ground 
in vegitables or procuring game by their traps 
or by hunting, and by this means they procure 
those scanty necessaries which their masters 
do not allow them. When they come in pre- 
sence of their master their hat is taken off, 
their body bent, and their words are uttered 
in a timid and humble tone. 

Ir has been said, that the holders of slaves 
are, in every country, the sanje, v\hich is no 
doubt true, but not to render the picture too 
melancho'V I must observe, that as the cha- 
racter> aX mea vary from each other, the con- 
duct of some towards their servants will be 
miikc-v wrh hciivianity rather than tyranny. 
In m:'.i } ')ar!.- ot the c«:,untry, indeed, tie 
number ol slaves owned by one master is often 
so j;^:reat, hii land so poor and his system of 
farmim*- ^v. !;a(!, that if he had the disposition 
he has nei tiie means to cloathe and feed them 
wei'. In '.his case tliey are besides left to the 
t}ranny of i.verseers ai.cl if the master even ■ 
possess a (kj^ree of hamantry they can ex] ect I 
no protection fioni him. Where the nuuiber 



( 289 ) m 

owned bv one m ister, is small and he has the 
eare of them ihey are not generally treated cru- 
elly. 

In their mental faculties, I believe this 
this race are inferior to the whites. The na- 
tive African is also inferior to the mulatto. 
Wirh respect however to that degree of im* 
provement of which their genius may be sus- 
ceptible or their capacity for the higher branch- 
es of literature there is, perhaps, no cri»:ci ion 
upon which lo form a rational conjecture. Ttie 
number of those uin vig them who have receiv- 
ed an education is extremely icWy ana this very 
imi)crfect. in a whole nation where science to© 
is generally diffused, a great genius is not al- 
ways to be fo\ n I. That the blacks saouid 
not have exhil. ted any striking proofs of in- 
ji^lligcnce from the or^portuniiies tl^ey nave 
had is not surprising, but it would have been 
ytry surprising had die contrary t«ke i place. 
Who kiiows but did t;\ey possess the sarr.c 
civil !)i : iiedo-e^ and iiteraiAav.iva:'taaes vhat aic 
wnites d<j, piiilos )p:i'v:;rs, poc^ts and orators 
might arir^e lun )vl^ t'"iem equal to tho^e of 
this or any orur counrrv, tv) Uiose either of 

aiicicul or m.jdcrn times. 
I B b • 



m C 290 ) 

There is a widediflkrence bet\Acen tlie eon- 
ditioii of the negroes in tow ns, arid those in 
the country. In towns their labour is hghter 
and their treatment better. Many ol them 
are dressed superior to the lov, er class of tiie 
whites, and in place of that humble appear- 
ance to be noted among the negroes of the 
the countrv , they have quite a self important 
air. If in this respect there is any difierence 
between the male and ft male, the Ibrmer has 
more pomp, and ihe latter more impudence. 

I have^ometimaCs been diverted by the de- 
sire evinced by the negrcxs in town, to copy 
the manners of the whites. In one of my even, 
ing walks, I passed two blacks at- the time 
they were accosting each otiier. They were 
dressed quite spruceiy, uiih fufflt shirt, siik 
stockings, &C. and had all tlu ccreno; \ of 
courtiers. One had a snuh b< x m his laiiid, 
ivhich he presented to the otlitr, ccon mend- 
ing its superior quaiiLies, cf which tiie cil.er 
took a pinch with a ; r('fouric! bow ; Wc'ilvii.g 
down strett, tlie\ enttieci ir.to cor.v\iharion. 
'' Well s':i*', sjys or.e, " \)i>v. c'ces v' ur 
world!} ailairs seem to p!(>»>|)er.''' *' Oh luui't i 
Uiter a word cii that bubjeci sir, i asstue 



^ 291 ) ,,^ 

vo!i the embamo has almost ruined me.'* 
'' Ps.hav\ ," t xclaimed ihe other ''where is \ our 
patriotihm ; vcu know, as citizens, we muot 
submit to the orders of government." '*True, 
very good reasoning, but my finances are 
dislocated, I begin to fear I shall have to stop 
pcivment." "Bear up philosf^^phy sir, [hiloso* 
phv is a grand thing.'* In this strain their con- 
versation proceeded, I despair of giviag you 
anv impression of the amusement it afibrded 
me. The num'.;erof new coined wordo dicy 
had, together with then' pompous and cere- 
monious manner, rendered it truly ludicrous, 
and diverting. 



• C 292 ) 



LETTER XXVII. 



J HAVE hcen so lon^ a wanderer on llie 
great gloLe; I have witnessec] human nature in 
such various points of view; I have seen such a 
variety of human institutions; and have been 
so long immersed in the reflections which such 
0! ijects are calculated to awaken, that you will 
haidly be able to recognize in my letters any 
traits of the Chinese character. But this cir- 
cumstance will be easily accounted for, and to 
ih\ expi:nsive soul, above the shackles ofvul- 
gar and local prejudices, will be a suLject of 
delight. It Vvus from thy luminous iristruc- 
tions that I first received the divine impuLse 
of a eirizen of the world, and it is this im- 
pulse which has lead rr.ethioudi tracts which 



( 293 ) 

itiy memory is now scarcely competent ta 
trace. 1 feel like one who had been priviledg- 
ed to ^\'ander through the solar system and 
view, successively, the different bodies, which 
comose it, and when he looks down to his 
diminutive earth floating in the infinity of 
space, he can hardly believe that it ever did, 
bound the sphere ol his action. He only is 
worthy the name of man who can look through 
thevvorldand say, my attachment, my feelings, 
my if*cas are not connned to , this district of 
teniiory, or to that ; wlio can look through 
the human spcci s and feel the effusions of 
love for all and none in particula)'. Why should 
our solicitucc fur the ^velfare of man be con* 
fined by rivers, by wilderness, by imaginary 
lines, or by oceans ? Why should our feelings 
be shut up w iihiri imaginary districts when 
noiliinfr l:ut ii.fi:)itv can set bounds to the 
fii"ht of our ideas? The human mind has soar- 
ed through the solar system, Las dettrmined 
tlie bulk, the order, tiit relations, and flight of 
the planets; aiid why siiould our ft el ii it's, the 
noblest part of oiu' nature, be coiiliiicd to op.e 
diminutive hpot ? Oh, av/ake }e ions of the 

B b 2 



( 294 ) 

earth from your torpid and contracted ideas 
and become sensible of the dignity of your na- 
ture and your rank in the creation ! Throw 
aside your national pride and haughtiness, the 
destructive fire arms and murdering sword, 
and let nations embrace each other in friend- 
ship and love. Let the destroying implements 
of war be thrown togedier in one consuming 
blaze, and on their ruins, let the eternal temple 
©f peace be erected. Successive generations 
shall fail prostrate before it and admire the 
sublime and glorious resolution. Men would 
then no longer meet to murder each other, 
but would be employed in the cultivation of 
the earth before continually dyed with liinr.an 
goiCi^ The poor would no longer be torn from 
their helpless, unprotected families to imbrue | 
their haridt) in innocent blood. Why ye callous 
sons of the earth, would you smile at the>-.e re- 
flections vvhich vou Vvoui^l call extrava2:ant be- 
c-ause you cannot feel them. Thiiik you thai 
those who are governed by the divine impulse 
of general pliilantl ropy would exchange it for 
the coutemptibie pleasure whiciiycm may Ge- 
rive from die sordid concerns in vvhich vou are 



( 295 ) 

immersed... think you that they would for the 
mines of Peru ? Oh ! how much you under- 
vnlue the dignity of human nature if such be 
y?ur ideas. Whether, in our sympathy for 
th; joy or sorrow of our fellow men, nature has 
infused some sacred drops which tell us the 
divinity of virtue. 

If I can be supposed to feel an attachment 
for any particular country, it is certainly that 
in which I drew my first breathy and which 
is honoured by thy noble spirit ; but this at- 
tachment I believe to be uncontaminated bv 
any contracted prejudices of opinion. Of the 
countries throusrh which I travel, mv at- 
tachment is successively fixed on that in 
which 1 last take up my residence. While I 
2m engaged in inspecting the manners of the 
people, and tracing the excellencies and de-_ 
fects of their instiuuions, it is impossible but 
that I should feel drawn tovrarcls them, and 
that my feelings as well as my ideas should 
be called into action. Never do I !eavt a 
country without sheckling a tear on i^s soil, ta- 
king of it a pathetick fareuell, and imploring 
for it the proteciioa of heaven. Aii! if my 



( 296 ) 

wishes could make the wurkl happy, it should 
be a paradise. I confess however, that neitlier 
r.iy feelings nor ideas are ahvays bounded by 
the country in which I reside. Often does 
my imagination retrace the steps 1 have pa^t, 

and hove^ over countries f^irmeilv the ohitct 

'1 . "J 

of my solicitude. Oi\en would the strenpth 

of my feelif !gs persuade me that I see armies 
engaged, the ear'h dyed \vith fiouing blood, 
au'l fields groaning beneath the dying and the 
dead. I hear the cries of the wounded and 
the s:roans of the d\ ine:. I see thousands of 
mutilated i:jL'ings, (Upiived of ii:e use of their 
limbs, and destined to be the victims of pain 
and infi mitv, during the remnant of their lives. 
N.;r does this scene limit Iialf the evils of war. 
How many poor families are under the bur- 
then of tuxes, reduced to distress to support 
destructive wars! How pitiable to see the 
hei!)less widow deprive* 1 of the last, the coars- 
est i5ecessarics (>f Iife...of the on'y bed perliups 
on Vvhich she had been accuhtomeci to rest 
Ikt wearieci limbs. Bc^hfjld !ier chii ren clinp^- 
ing around her for bread, vvliiie all that slie 
ean i^-ivc is the tears v\ hicii fiovv^ copiouslv liom 



( 297 ) 

her eyes. Behold the vacant stare which she 
fixes on her oiFspring, now casts a look to 
heaven, gives a deep sigh, and seems to say 
i' Oh kind providence take us from this mis- 
erable world." Ye rulers of nations, these, 
these are the t fleets of youi destructive wars i 
Is it at this expence that your national pride, 
and ambition must be graiified ' O t ye rich, 
and ye proud, satiated with luxu y, and at a 
loss how to dispose of your time ; how little 
do you consider that your inactivity and your 
pleasure are purchased at the expence of the 
laliour, and pa gs, of tlie poor. Tliey pro-, 
duce the Vvcalth v hich }(:u enjoy ; they bear 
your burthens, and you lepa} them with a 
haughty contempt. While you sit under your 
magniHc nt walls, surroiinded with cosily fur- 
niture, the poor have hardly a hut sufficient 
to protect them from the piercing wind, the 
drivino: snow, or the overwhelm ins: torrent. 
While you sit do\\'n to your spacious table, 
covered with dishes of luxury, and glittering 
decorations ; the half famished poor sit >c'own 
to their oaken table, and scantv meal, and hr.id- 
ly is tiieir fare over before they ar hurried 



( 2^^8 ) 

auc'iy to the labour of the da v. While \o{\ 
repose on your bed of down, surr« uncled by 
murrains of silk ; they have little more [ban the 
damp unwholesome earth, ou whi:h to rest 
their wearied limbs. While vou are cloathed 
in attiie of pompous and attractive n aterials, 
they are hardlv secured, from he scorching: 
beat of the summer, or the piercing cold of the 
V inter. While vou are sitting by vour com- 
foriabie fire, ihtv are trudg:;ir.cr hrou^b 
the snov^' or shi\erinQ: in the cold v\ith 
tlicir axe in their hands. While you are indo- 
lently reposing on your cool sopha they 
are labouiing iii the parchtd arid duhty earth, 
and sweating berieath the meridian beams. 
In reiilit}'. when 1 vie\\' the unremitting labour 
and astoi-islsing exertions of this active class 
of men, it excites not only my gra iiude but 
my admiration. How little are the sons of 
iui'olence capable of such exertions ! Should 
one of them, by any accident, be reduced to 
the necessity of depeiiding on his own bodily 
exertions, how poorly would he be able to 
sustain his situation ? One day of such labour 
as the active poor endure through life, woukV 



( 299 ) 

deranr^ the nerves and muscles of an indolent 
'man to such a degree, that he would hardly 
recover for week^ or months. Why, in any 
point of view, then, sKould the pour be the 
object of our contempt ? If they are useful, 
let us respect them ; but if they are unfortu- 
nate, let us pity them. Were we to look upon 
them with these sentiments it would greatly 
ameliorate the hardship of their condition ; and 
were we to respect them according to their 
iherit, it would excite their laudable exertions 
to deserve the good opinion of society. Th/i 
applause or approbation of others is the chief 
stimulous to every generous exertio<i ; but 
wliat encouragement is given to the ' oor 
when the\' are condemned in the ma.^s, and 
m. rjt is neiiher noticed nor respecied ? 

My truVtls, my (riend, have been protract- 
ed beyond tlic jiei'iod which I supposed would 
end them ; but they are now ncai v bi\;U^:.;Iit 
to a close. Tnis country is, probaljlv , rise 
lust that i siiad ever visit with tije curlositv of 
a ticiVtller. i iuok ibrwcircl, with, anxious 1> " .e, 
to rne Llav VvMen, ihrough the ir.ierj)o-itii> ..f 
Pioviciciiv.e, i m..y iaiiLi ni inv naiive couiiirv. 



•C 300 ) 

Converse familiarly with those friends who, 
amidst all my wandtriiigs, have ever been 
uppermost in my thoughts, view again the 
scenes of my early youth, and finally spend 
the remnant of my days in philosophick coii- 
tempimign. Aui^f! 



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